Zechariah 4:10 For who has despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice… It is a "day of small things" with you as regards your — I. CONVICTION OF SIN. How easy it is to know ourselves to be sinners, how hard to feel ourselves to be such. We distress ourselves because it seems to us as if we could not repent. But beware of imagining that a certain number of tears, a certain standard of repentance is to qualify you for the blessings of Christ's salvation. Try yourself thus, "How do I feel with regard to sin? Have I any desire to be rid of it in its power, as well as in its consequences? Do I feel any real degree of hatred towards it? Do I desire to hate it?" If you can answer in the affirmative, this is a sure proof that God's Spirit has not forsaken you. The Spirit's office is to convince of sin. II. FAITH. Your cry is, "Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief." You have no doubts as to the power of Christ's work; but you can scarcely believe there is salvation for you. Many are in darkness and disquietude through lack of faith. It may be a "day of small things" as regards your faith in God's providence. III. CHRISTIAN GRACES AND THE PRACTICAL INFLUENCE OF RELIGION ON THE LIFE. This again is a source of deep humiliation and much disquietude to you. Be not discouraged. The work of grace is gradual; you cannot sow the seed and have blossom and fruit in a day. IV. SPIRITUAL PEACE AND JOY. It cannot be presumption to claim what God bestows, what Christ has purchased. V. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE. You find many difficulties in the Bible. As yet you seem to understand only "first principles of the doctrine of Christ." How then are you to go on to perfection? The Spirit, to teach and enlighten, as well as to sanctify and comfort you, is covenanted to you. You shall grow in knowledge as in grace. (John C. Miller.) Parallel Verses KJV: For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. |
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