Fellow believers in Christ, does it seem like you’re getting nowhere when trying to make a difference in the Kingdom of God? Is it harder and harder to remain a Christian and to stand for righteousness in a society whose moral compass is disintegrating farther and farther away from the principles of God’s word? Are you discouraged by dwindling numbers in your church congregation? Do you feel like walking away and starting new somewhere else or do you feel like throwing in the towel altogether?
It could be that you are right where God wants you to be. Have you considered that His desire is for you to be completely dependent upon Him? Perhaps you need to know that it’s not by your might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that moves mountains (Zechariah 4:6). Zerubbabel was given the task of leading the first group of the return of Jewish people to Jerusalem after their exile to Babylon. After the return, he was appointed governor and oversaw the Temple construction. It had been about 70 years since Solomon’s Temple had been destroyed. Zerubbabel and the people faced their fair share of challenges and disappointments, but the Temple was completed and dedicated with much rejoicing. Even though Zerubbabel’s temple was smaller in size than Solomon’s, “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” said the Lord (Haggai 2:9).
The church fellowship I attend in a small town in southwestern Pennsylvania has diminished in size over the years. Our congregation has faced challenges and disappointments that we never would have expected. In our place of worship where services were attended in recent years by 100-plus worshippers, the average attendance has dropped into the 20s. It can be quite discouraging, especially for those of us still there who had experienced the times of numerous activities and successful outreaches with more than enough enthusiastic volunteers. The church prospered and grew and it seemed as though God’s blessing was upon it.
Despite the low numbers and despite the many changes that have occurred in a relatively short period of time, our small church is mighty. We are mighty in our faith and in our commitment and service to God. Within the past few weeks alone, we have shown love and compassion not only to those within our congregation, but to many outside of our church and in our community. God reminded me of some of those specific ways in which He is working in and through our fellowship of believers: *supporting members of our congregation at the passing of a family member by donating funds in memory of their loved one to an organization which makes and gives wigs to cancer patients free of charge, *visiting with an elderly congregant who is hospitalized, *donating to keep our community’s Christmas lights up and running (THE MOST BEAUTIFUL Christmas lights of any small town in the USA!), *paying the heating bill of neighbors in town (strangers to us) who were in need, *purchasing items for 20 gift bags to be given to Pediatric ICU patients in a nearby hospital this Christmas, *donating to a fundraising campaign for our local library, *having a prayer walk to pray for specific homes in our community, *participating in a pro-life community event. And besides holding weekly worship services, Sunday School classes and prayer meetings, we minister each Wednesday evening to boys and girls who attend our Awana children’s program!
Besides all of that, there’s much more that we’re involved with on a regular basis, such as supporting missionaries in the U.S. and abroad and monthly layette donations to a local crisis pregnancy center. We have not allowed our size to discourage or to dissuade us from being the hands and feet of God. He has remained faithful to us and continues to give us the strength and the hope we need to be His servants and to be used as He chooses. Maybe you’re in a similar situation or maybe even in a larger congregation that needs encouragement because you think you’re too small to make a difference. That’s just not true. If you are faithfully following Christ in obedience, staying true to the word of God, and seeking Him in prayer to use you and to use your particular body of believers, He’ll take care of the rest. Let Him have His way. Remember that it’s not by your might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.
HOPE NUGGET: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. [Galatians 6:9]
Hanging My Hat on Hope 