Pastor Elwin Ahu
October 14, 2001 - W0141

In the wake of the recent tragic events, so many people around our nation are coming to know the Lord.  God Bless America is not just a slogan, people are really coming to find out more and more about Jesus Christ. 

However, sometimes we have a tendency to place our trust in Him when our emotions are running high and we have a passion to accomplish a goal.  But, what happens when obstacles hinder our efforts and we come across challenges which get us discouraged about our circumstances?  What can we do to keep a passion and zeal in our lives?

There is a lesson in the book of Zechariah which teaches us about Godís character and how He helps us to get through the challenges we face along our journey.  His lessons are so relevant today, especially for those in the process of rebuilding their lives, are facing financial struggles, and even those who have lost a relationship along the way.

Zechariah was called to serve as Godís spokesperson during a time when the Jews were returning from the Babylonian captivity.  Since the nation of Israel was so disobedient to God, He allowed Babylon to conquer them, deport them to Babylonia, and hold them in exile for many years.  When they have been finally allowed to go back to their home city of Jerusalem, and hereís what they found out ñ the temple that they used to worship in, and which Solomon himself built, was laying in ruins.

At first their enthusiasm to rebuild was so high and the people quickly got involved by laying a foundation.  But, as soon as challenges came their way, they became discouraged, and construction slowed to a standstill.  The people who had occupied the city while the Jews were away began to discourage, threaten, and harass the Israelites who were trying to complete this project.

As the years went by, this temple continued to lay in ruins and it became increasingly difficult for anyone to get involved and attempt the resumption of the work.  Zerubbabel, the governor of this colony of Jews, seeing the obstacles he was facing, felt like giving up.  To add insult to injury, many of the older Jews, who saw Solomonís original temple, were crying when they saw the new foundation being built because the new foundation was much smaller than the original.  It made Zerubbabelís job even more ominous.

Question 1: How do you typically respond when the going gets tough?

However, there is something about the nature of God, where He will take opportunities often disguised as impossible tasks and He will use them to reveal His power.  Zerubbabel was wise enough to press forward and continue to pray to God, and his prayers were answered in the form of the prophet Zechariah.  Through Zechariah, God provided an instruction to Zerubbabel:

ìNot by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty ñ you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak.î (Zech. 4:6 LB)

God was saying, ìNo sweat!  This impossible task will be accomplished, not by your will, but by my power.î  It might have been too much for Zerubbabelís workers, but it wasnít too much for God.  I believe that this message delivered to Zerubbabelís workers centuries ago, is still meant for us today!  He wants us to know that we should not worry about the mountains in our lives, and the same power that is available to Israel long ago is available for us today.

So often we try to figure out our solutions all by ourselves, donít we?  We go to church, we listen to the Pastorís message, we buy his audio tapes, we buy his video tapes, we buy his books, we join a caregroup and study his messages, but somehow when we face our problems and push comes to shove, why to do we always turn back to ourselves to figure out the solutions to our problems?  God says, it is not by you, but by my spirit. 

So what should we do when we face our problems?

Start with small beginnings

Whenever you are facing challenges along the way, even though they seem mountain-sized, start with small beginnings.

ìDo not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.î (Zech. 4:10 NLT)

When facing our challenges, weíll often see them as mountains so high that itís impossible to accomplish our assignment and we find ourselves buried beneath the shadow of this problem.  God says, ìDonít worry how small you feel or how small you appear to be, just begin to do what Iíve asked of you.î  Furthermore, leave the results to Him.

We are always looking for the quick fix arenít we?  We look for the great miracles that will change everything and everyoneÖright now!  Why else would lotteries and jackpots hold such great attraction?  In this time of nervousness about air travel, the news has revealed that flights from Hawaii to Las Vegas have been full!  The article proclaims, ìHawaiians not afraid to flyî.  What we donít realize is that although we may look for the big event, so often we miss the miracles that can occur in simple, small things that happen around us all the time.  They are small, but miraculous none the less.  Yet we hardly notice.  Listen carefully, you will often find  the treasures of life in the mundane, everyday things of life.  Instead of looking for the big miraculous event, just do what God has asked you to do.

Question 2: What small step is God calling you to take?  Gain momentum: Name 1 small thing you will do tomorrow to start your ìsmall beginning:

Weíll all hit mountains along the way.  As Christians, we are not immune from challenges that will hit us, or living in the shadow of something that seems gigantic.  Each time you give the problem to the Lord and start with what you have, He will level that mountain, showing us that --

• God removes the challenges

 ìNothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in [his] way; it will flatten out before him!  Then [he] will set the final stone of the Temple in place, and the people will shout: ëMay God bless it!  May God bless it!íî (Zech. 4:7 NLT)

ìLooking upon them, Jesus said, ëWith men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.í (Mark 10:27)

Helping you to overcome challenges and obstacles is just Godís DNA, the nature of who He is.  He turns defeat into victory, makes the impossible, possible, and makes the big things, small enough to step over.  In the midst of the shadow of the mountains, God is waiting to give us a great victory, but all we need to do is take the small steps.

Throughout the whole Bible, His DNA is revealed: He turned the Red Sea into a dry pathway so the Israelites could cross over, He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and raised the dead.  But the largest mountain that God had leveled occurred when He brought His son Jesus Christ to Earth, who died on the cross, and resurrected Him.  Through His death and resurrection, He made a way for all of us sinners to have a part in eternity.

Question 3: What obstacles has God already removed in your life?

See value in the unexpected

ìBut God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; Öthe weak things of the world to shame the strongÖthe lowly thingsÖand the despised things ñ and the things that are not ñ to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.  (1 Cor. 1:27-29 NIV)

God doesnít just show His power by making big things small.  Oftentimes He shows His power by using small things to accomplish big tasks.  God takes pleasure in finding value in the most unexpected sources.  Look at the disciples, the ìnot ready for primetime peopleî.  Would any of us have chosen these twelve unimpressive people to change the world? 

To the secular world, it doesnít make sense, but, Heíll take the simplest things to accomplish His big purposes: a simple staff of a Shepard to lead 2 million people out of Egypt, a single stone to kill a giant, or the simple lunch of a boy, five loaves and 2 fishes to feed five thousand people.  The smallest thing that God ever used was the cross.  Some rough timber that was used to execute the most innocent man who ever walked the surface of the Earth.  God turned that simple piece of wood into what is universally recognized as a symbol of Jesusí victory over death itself. 

God finds value in the unexpected and uses it to accomplish His purposes.

Question 4: How does God see you?  Use scripture to describe yourself through Godís eyes.

ìIt is like a tiny mustard seed planted in a garden; soon it grows into a tall bush and the birds live among its branches.  It is like yeast kneaded into dough, which works unseen until it has risen high and light.î (Luke 13:19-20 LB)

There is no one too small, too untalented, unimportant, or of little value in His eyes.  In fact, God prefers to use the humble and the weak over the proud and the strong.  In Philippians, when Paul asked the Lord to remove a thorn in His flesh, God merely said, ìMy grace is sufficient for you because My power is perfected in your weakness.î  If you feel weak and limited or just ordinary, then you are the best material that God can use to accomplish His work.

Rejoice in His results

In the book of Matthew, John the Baptist had been explaining the baptism of Jesus to his followers when suddenly Jesus came to him and wanted John to baptize Him!  How inadequate and insecure John must have felt!  John even tried to refuse saying that Jesus should baptize him instead. 

ìBut Jesus answering saidÖîPermit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.îÖand after being baptized,Öbehold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, andÖa voice out of the heavens, saying, ìThis is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.î (Matthew 3:15-17)

What a scene it must have been!  But, why was the Heavenly Father so pleased with Jesus?  He was pleased at the obedience of Jesus to be baptized.  By being baptized, it launched Jesus into His ministry ending ultimately with His death, but knowing this, Jesus was still willing to be obedient.

The other thing you should notice is John the Baptist himself.  He had some idea about the greatness of the Messiah, but he could never have known how far Jesus and the ministry they performed that day would eventually reach.  Look at the results today!  Because of their obedience we have a worldwide Christian church soon to be preached to the ends of the Earth! 

John needed to do what he was asked to do, even if he didnít realize the significant impact that he was about to have.  Sometimes we too will be presented with similar opportunities and we may not be sure of its results or its significance.  However, if we place our trust in the Lord, starting with our small beginnings, believing that God will remove any mountains standing in our way, then watch and rejoice and see the results that He will give you. 

It all adds up in the end. 

Question 5: How will you be different by what you have learned today?

Summarized by: Bryan Fujioka