Open Heaven 18 August 2019 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Topic: Big Things Start Small
Memorise: “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” – Job 8:7
Read: Mark 4:30-32 (KJV)
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 22-23, Ezekiel 36:1-15
MESSAGE:
Today we live in a world that glorifies things of great proportions, with a special attraction for gigantic projects. Anything that is not massive, huge, tremendous or colossal does not seem to catch the attention of the current generation. In the common parlance of the 21st century, things that turn people’s heads usually start with the word “mega”, like mega-corporations, megastores, megacities, mega-churches, and so on. Because society is so obsessed with all things mega, small things have become unattractive and inconsequential to a lot of people. People nowadays despise the days of little beginnings and deride small things. However, as people of God’s kingdom, our culture is different. Zechariah 4:10a states our creed as follows:
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…”
Every great work of God usually starts small, beginning sometimes only as a vision in the mind of a faithful servant of God. In this sense, the mustard seed in today’s Bible reading is a perfect example of a small beginning. Although a mustard seed is very small, measuring only about 1 or 2 millimeters, when it is sown, it grows into a tree of about 3 meters high. This is a 3000% increase in size! I prophesy according to the word of the Lord coming to you now, no matter how small your beginning is, your latter end will increase tremendously in the Name of Jesus.
In God’s dealings with man, there have been so many stories of little beginnings becoming great. Usually, in the days of small things, critics are numerous, unleashing vicious condemnation without reservation. The heaven –appointed builder is typically tagged a dreamer and made to face ridicule and mockery. Many times, the voice of critics will ring through repeatedly, saying that the dream being pursued is not achievable. Be careful not to pay attention to their words because there is no truth in them. Their objective is to cause discouragement and make you lose focus. In spite of such pessimistic verbal attacks and threats, Zerubbabel zealously pressed on with the work of rebuilding God’s temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 3-5, Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 4). Be assured that the glorious completion of your assignment will put to shame all those who scorned its small beginning. To the glory of God, The Redeemed Christian Church of God is a good example of how God can make a mustard seed grow to become a tree greater than all herbs with great branches. Just be faithful in the little that God has committed into your hands. Do not despise the days of small beginnings. If you are holy, diligent, prayerful and focused, the Lord will crown all your efforts with resounding success and make your latter end to increase beyond measure, according to His word.
Action Point: Father, please let every small project in my life become great, and give me the grace to make a success of everything committed into my hands in Jesus’ Name
Hymn 1: There Shall Be Showers of Blessing
1 There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.
Chorus:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
2 There shall be showers of blessing—
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
3 There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come, and now honor Thy Word.
4 There shall be showers of blessing;
O that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!
5 There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.
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