Scripture

The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.

Observation

The glory of the Lord is shining on Jerusalem. All nations will come to its light. The people of Israel, scattered across the Earth, are returning home.

The merchants are flocking to bring their products and wealth. Foreigners will rebuild the towns destroyed in God’s judgement.

Violence will disappear from the land, and salvation will surround them like a city wall. They will no longer need the sun to see by day or the moon by night, because God himself will light up the land.

The smallest of families will become like a great nation. In its day the Lord will do this swiftly.

Application

One Sunday evening in our little church service, I read this chapter and was hit with force by the last verse. The ordinary word of God became a rhema word for me. Our church, though the smallest in our town at the time, would become a thousand. And in its day, the Lord will do this swiftly.

We do not have to strive to make things happen. This is a temptation for me – with my choleric personality, I am task driven. With God’s grace, we serve patiently and trust Him to take care of the results.

That takes a load off the mind. There is no pressure when you just have to obey rather than being responsible to produce results.

It doesn’t mean that we slack off and treat life like a long holiday. We seek the Lord, do the job He calls us to, and then we see what He can do with a life surrendered to Him.

Prayer

Lord, it’s not by might nor by power but by your Spirit that mountains are moved. Please help me to remember this. Amen.