The God of Small Things


One day, while working in the yard, I found a small bird that had perished in the cold of a recent storm. As I removed the tiny body, along with other debris that had accumulated in the flower beds, I was made to think of God's goodness to His people. I have no way of knowing how or when that small creature died but God knows all about it. Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. In this fact the true greatness of God is seen and the true worth of man to Him is shown.
Truly great leaders among men have not always been those who have been able to command others. Rather they have been those who, as they performed deeds of greatness were able to be mindful of the small things. A great General is one who, in the midst of battle is able to note the suffering of the lowliest soldier under his command. The great leaders of any nation are those who, in the swirl of international affairs is able to take note of the needs of the most insignificant of the populace.
We are made to be awestruck as we contemplate Christ stilling the storm. In this he proved His power over His creation. Yet those things which draw us to him most are those in which he dealt with needful human beings. He healed a withered arm. Not of a king but an anonymous man in a crowd at the synagogue. He opened the eyes of the blind without asking about social standing or riches. He fed the multitude and raise a widows son who remains nameless.
We might find it thrilling to contemplate one so powerful he holds the stars in place, but you and I don't dwell among the stars. So we find ourselves drawn to this one who walked among men.
The greatness and majesty of God is shown as He writes his Laws upon the tables of stone with his finger. But because of our sinfulness we must draw back and cover our faces before Him as did Israel. It is to Christ, who stoops to write with his finger in the dust of the streel that we are drawn for here is one who extends mercy.
Why is man so valuable to God? David posed this question in the 8th Psalm. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?If man is compared in his physical size to the visible universe, he is a mere speck of cosmic dust. How great is our God, who while holding the stars in place, directing the destiny of nations according to His prophecies, and hearing the praise of the heavenly host, is able to hear the feeble call of one lost sinner and take time to reach down and save his soul. In the turmoil of the affairs of nations he is able to hear the prayers of the most insignificant of his children who need His help. While doing all this He is able to keep record of every thought and every deed of every man that He might be just in the day of judgment.
Why is man so important to Him? for the answer we must look back to the beginning as man was made in the image of God. While the firmament shows His handiwork and all nature bears His mark and proves His goodness, only man bears the stamp of His Person and His personality. Because man is the only part of creation made in the image of God, man is unique. Because of his ability to worship and to fellowship God of his own free will, he is especially precious to God.
"Ye are of more value than many sparrows" were the words of Jesus as he reassured his disciples of the Fathers care for them. There is nothing, which demonstrates man's value to his creator more than God's care for him. He has shown it in the provision made to provide the environment necessary to sustain life. He makes it known in the fruit of the earth which provides food and clothing. But He did not stop with providing just the essentials. He gave us also the beauty of the sky, the seas, the mountains, the fields and forests. The senses of taste and smell make eating a pleasure, and not just a necessary function.
The greatest measure of Man's worth to God is not found in the material provision made for his physical well being, but in the redemption of his soul. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.In His divine wisdom, God did not create man as a free moral agent and turn him loose to reap the inevitable consequences should he choose the path of sin and death. Man was far too precious for that! Instead, before man was made in the image of God, Christ stood as a Lamb to be slain. The remedy for sin was prepared before man ever rebelled against his maker!
The crucifixion was proof of more than just the sinful condition of man. It is true that man's depravity was shown there as nowhere else in all human history but even more so is the love of God and His perception of the great value of man manifested. His love for his creatures compelled him to offer his Son to pay the penalty for the sins of man. Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.We are made to cry as did David,"What is man that thou art mindful of him?" How great must be his value to his creator that such a price would be paid to rescue man from his own actions!
All around us we see those who seem to be saying,"Look at me. I'm important!" Some try to prove their importance by making laws and others try just as hard by defying laws through civil or even criminal disobedience. Others by declaring morals and conventions to be relics of the past. Few see that the only real and true worth of man is in his relationship with God. John expressed it thus; 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.Man has intrinsic value because of all creation, he is the only part which will endure for all eternity. The Bible tells us that the earth and all that is in it shall be burned. We are told that even the heavens and the earth shall pass away. Yet man shall endure forever! He will either spend eternity rejoicing in the presence of God or suffering the eternal damnation of a burning hell. BUT HE WILL ENDURE. This eternal attribute of man is why Jesus posed the question; Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? To mankind, the universe has many centers for each is, to himself, the center around which all things revolve. We are concerned with what goes on in the world around us because we know that sooner or later, what affects the world, our nation , community or family will sooner or later have an effect upon us. At the point of death, man would give everything he posesses for a few more moments of that precious commodity called life. Yet no matter how important we might come to think of ourselves, we are finally made to feel insignificant as we contemplate our passing from the scene as did Solomon. Eccl 2:15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
Eccl 2:16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
Whether I go or stay will have no great effect upon the course of history or to the rest of the human race but it is all important to the God of heaven for I belong to Him! To the world I may be just one among the billions of the human masses but toto God, I am one made in His eternal image and worth redeeming even at the price of the blood of His only begotten Son..
If you would really like to assert your value to the world then realize your value to the God of Heaven!.If you would like to show your dignity as a human being, learn to walk as a child of the King!.



SMALL THINGS


When I see the lightening flashing


and hear the mighty thunder roll.


When mountains shake and tremble


then peace flows o'er my soul.


When the ocean's mighty billows


crash upon the shore


and the wind, instead of gentle breeze,


blasts with awesome roar,


Then sings my soul, rejoicing,


for the power there displayed


belongs to Him who keeps me.


I shall not be dismayed.


One tiny little raindrop.


One small grain of sand.


One tiny seed or delicate bloom,


one touch of His gentle hand.


A blade of grass, an ant, a lark


All his, however small.


He knows each tiny insect.


He sees the sparrow fall.


And though I be unworthy


and often go astray,


the God who watches 'small things'


guards me night and day!.


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Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.