The small family shall grow to a thousand, and the least shall become a mighty nation. I am the Lord; I will hasten it in its time. Isaiah 60:22. WORKS for the Lord often begin on a small scale, yet they are no less valuable for that. Weakness serves to train faith, draws one closer to God, and brings glory to His name. The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into a great tree that shelters many birds within its branches. Let us begin with one—perhaps "the least"—and it shall become a thousand. The Lord has shown Himself great on the day of multiplication. How often, too, has He said to His solitary servant: "I will multiply you!" Trust in the Lord, you who are but one or two: He is in your midst if you are gathered in His name. What could be more insignificant in the eyes of those who look only at numbers, strength, and greatness than "the least"? And yet, this may be the germ of a mighty nation. At twilight, one might see only a single star shining, yet soon the entire firmament is studded with countless lights. Let us not assume that this promise of growth must be far off; for the Lord says, "I will hasten these things in their time"—not with a hasty, premature unfolding, but in their proper season, and without delay. When the Lord hastens, His swiftness is glorious. Doodjoy fm Doodjoy fm Doodjoy fm For You have spoken, O Lord God! And the house of Your servant shall be blessed with Your blessing forever. 2 Samuel 7:29. David relies upon a promise, and in doing so, teaches us a twofold lesson: Everything that God has spoken is true. We may take His declarations and present them back to Him. How good it is to be able to quote God’s own words to Him! How precious it is to support one’s petitions with a “Therefore”—just as the psalmist does in Doodjoy fm Doodjoy fm Doodjoy fm Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11. Righteousness may prove costly for those who pursue it in every circumstance, yet in the long run, it proves rewarding and yields a great return. A holy life is a kind of seed—much of it is scattered, seemingly buried in the ground, as if lost forever. We are mistaken if we expect an immediate harvest; yet such a mistake is natural, for it seems impossible that light could ever be buried. And yet, the text says, "light is sown." It lies hidden there—unseen by any eye—but it has been sown. One day, we may be certain, it will be revealed. We have the absolute assurance that the Lord has prepared a harvest for those who sow light—a harvest that each shall reap for himself. Then shall follow gladness: a sheaf of joy for every seed of light sown. For their hearts were upright before God, even when men mistrusted or censured them. They may still have to wait for the precious fruit of the earth; but the light has been sown, and the Lord is preparing for them a harvest of joy. Take courage, brothers; let us sow without haste, possessing our souls in patience, and soon those very souls shall come to possess both joy and light. Doodjoy fm Doodjoy fm Doodjoy fm "I will make you a wall of steel, very strong, against this people; they will fight against you, but they shall not overcome you, for I am with you to protect and deliver you," says the Lord. Jeremiah 15:20. Steadfastness in the fear of God and faith in Him makes a man like a wall of steel—one that no one can topple. The Lord alone can produce such men; yet we need them—in the Church as well as in the world, and most especially in the pulpit. Our lax age will fiercely oppose these men of truth who never compromise. Nothing irritates Satan and his brood more than firm resolve. Just as an enemy army might besiege a stronghold, they will assault the holy steadfastness of a resolute man. But they shall not prevail against those whom God has girded with His own strength. As for the weak—those tossed about by every wind of doctrine—a mere breath is enough to sweep them away; but those established in the doctrine of grace possess a strength that renders them as unyielding as rocks amidst a stormy sea. Whence comes this solidity? "I am with you," says the Lord—that is the answer. The Lord knows how to deliver faithful souls from the assaults of their adversaries. Armies may surround us, but the Lord of hosts is with us. We shall not retreat an inch, for the Lord holds us in our position, and there we shall remain forever. Doodjoy fm Doodjoy fm Doodjoy fm
