Devotions
Do Not Despise the Days of Small Beginnings
“A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation. I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.” – Isaiah 60:22 (NKJV)
The
Small Source of a Great River
In elementary school, we learned that the
source of the Nile is in Rwanda, in the natural forest of Nyungwe, now known as
Nyungwe National Park. Some sources and books say otherwise, but I will hold to
what I learned in primary school because this is not a geography lesson.
In 2008, I had the opportunity to visit the
Nile River in Egypt. It was majestic, vast, impressive, and beautiful. Large
boats cruised along the water, and many communities had grown around it,
serving thousands of people.
Then, in 2015, I visited what is believed to
be the source of the Nile in Nyungwe National Park. It was only a small brook,
so narrow that we could cross it on foot. There were no crowds of tourists, no
boats, and nothing outwardly impressive, just a stream making its quiet noise
as it ran downstream.
Yet the Nile, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea, crosses eleven African countries, and is still believed to be the world’s longest river at about 6,650 kilometres, would not exist without that small, unknown brook deep in the forest of Nyungwe.
God’s Pattern of Growth
The verse above refers to the nation of
Israel, but spiritually it also speaks to the Church of Jesus Christ. It is a
promise from God, a promise of growth. Though the beginning may seem small,
unimpressive, or even contemptible, God is able to multiply it greatly.
The normal order of growth is that things
begin small and increase over time. Growth requires time, effort, humility, and
consistency. Yet many people do not want to begin in a low place. Zechariah
4:10 reminds us, “Do not dare despise the days of small things.” Some
translations call them the days of small beginnings.
Consider how the apostles began the work that became the Church of God we know today. They were like the brook in Nyungwe: unknown, humble, and unimpressive to the human eye. But what would have happened if that small source had refused to flow? We would not have the beautiful and majestic Church we see today.
Keep Flowing Forward
Joe Sabah, an American author and speaker,
once said, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be
great.” Many large corporations began in garages. Many well-known ministers
preached for years in front of empty chairs before they experienced a
breakthrough. Their growth required time, commitment, courage, and sacrifice, but
eventually, the brook became a river.
Imagine the obstacles that small stream had
to overcome in order to keep flowing. Be like that stream: find a way, keep
moving, and go forward with the strength you have (Judges 6:14). Even if you
have received only one talent, do not be like the unfaithful servant. Use it,
trade with it, and multiply it.
This is how the small becomes a multitude. Do
not allow fear of failure or the mockery of others to stop you from dreaming,
serving, and growing. For those who dream and dare, God has promised to make it
happen in its time.
Posted : Jul 20, 2026