When the Vision Stalls: Lessons from Zechariah 4

In 586 B.C. Jerusalem fell to the armies of Nebuchadnezzar, which marked the end of the kingdom of Judah. Most of Jerusalem’s inhabitants were deported to Babylon for a period of about 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10). 

When the Babylonian Empire fell to the Persian Empire (539 B.C.), Cyrus the Great decreed that the Jews could return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple. Subsequently, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor, about 50,000 Jews, including Haggai and Zechariah, returned to Jerusalem. An altar for sacrifices was built, and the foundation for the temple was laid. But then external and internal challenges caused the building program to be on hold for 16 years. 

Many of us could probably identify with an unfulfilled dream, an uncompleted goal, or frustrated desires and hopes that were dashed.

Three principles for our lives:

1. Do not despise small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10a).

David was a young man facing a giant with 5 smooth stones, the least in his family. 

The cloud Elijah saw was small, but from it came a great rainstorm.   

Gideon’s army was small, 300 against 120,000.       

The small boy with the small lunch fed 5,000 with Jesus’ help.               

Mother Theresa cared for the small, the poor, the unimpressive, and the insignificant. 

2. God loves to work through the weak and insignificant (I Corinthians 1:26-29). “Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” Zechariah 4:6, “NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.”

Great things come from small beginnings. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet, when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. (Mark 4:30-32) 

3. Do not be satisfied with small things! God is bigger than any and every obstacle. Jeremiah 32:17, “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too difficult for you.” Psalm 2:8, “Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.”

Do you realize that God can do “far more abundantly” than you could ever dream in your life? (Ephesians 3:20) God unquestionably has good works prepared before you that He wants to accomplish so that you can impact eternity and make a difference for Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:10) Ask God expectantly, in faith, for His fresh vision for you today!