It’s the Little Things that Count

The Son of God was born in a humble place:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days (Micah 5:2).

I love that God exalts the little things: a baby, a village, a young girl. God exalts the humble (1 Peter 5:6). Y’all. If the birth of Christ happened today, the report of it would go viral. The baby, laid in the manger, has feel-good story written all over it. Here’s a fun take on that idea (if you don’t see the video right away, reload the page):

God loves to confound our expectations. The Jews waited for their conquering hero to arrive in splendor and might. Instead, the King of Kings was came into the world in Bethlehem, a little town on the outskirts of Jerusalem. He was born in a stable and attended by shepherds and foreigners. The nation of Israel didn’t know what was happening, right under its nose.

[Bethlehem] was little among the thousands of Judah, not considerable either for the number of the inhabitants or the figure they made; it had nothing in it worthy to have this honour put upon it; but God in that, as in other instances, chose to exalt those of low degree, Luke 1:52. Christ would give honour to the place of his birth, and not derive honour from it: Though thou be little, yet this shall make thee great…

Matthew Henry’s Commentary (on Biblegateway)

The birth of Jesus made Bethlehem great, not the other way around. God decrees what is holy, what is first, and what is great. In this way, He shows not only His power, but also His grace.

In the Second Week of Advent,
when we light the Bethlehem candle,
we remember that God loves the little things.

An anonymous widow, a little nobody, was exalted by Jesus as an example of devotion to God:

A poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has” (Luke 21:2-4).

Israel, a little nation, was chosen by God in spite of its shortcomings:

It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples (Deuteronomy 7:7)

Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to one of the tiniest seeds:

Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade” (Mark 4:30-32).

Little Things Can Make a Big Impact

What appeared to be a meager offering from an inconspicuous person, was seen by the Lord as greater than all of the other offerings.  Out of insignificant Israel came the God’s own Son, and He changed the world. The Kingdom of God had modest start with Jesus and a handful of followers, but God’s invisible church now covers the Earth and inhabits the hearts of billions.

Are you feeling small today? Unseen in your offering? Overwhelmed by a task in front of you? Insignificant, compared to others? Remember God loves the little things! He uses little things to make a great impact.

Do not despise these small beginnings,
for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…
Zechariah 4:10

I’d love to hear about the little things God has used to grow you spiritually? Little children who taught you about forgiveness and unconditional love? Sharing a little kindness in your sphere of influence? Little moments where you see God at work in your life? How have the little things of God made a big impact on you?

Image Copyrights: iostephy / 123RF Stock Photo; ptnphoto / 123RF Stock Photo