Command 29 : Despise Not Little Ones | Day 199

See the Littlest, Least, and Last!

Our natural tendency is to overlook or be bothered by little things because we don't consider them to be valuable or important. We may even consider children to be a bother, as the disciples did when they rebuked those who brought children to Jesus (see Matthew 19:13-14). Yet, God often uses that which is littlest, least, and last to accomplish mighty things, even as He did with the loaves and a few small fish (see John 6:9-14).

Samuel was commissioned by God to anoint the second King of Israel from the house of Jesse, but God did not tell Samuel which son it would be. Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel, but God did not choose any of them. Instead God said, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature … for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7). The one whom God had chosen was not even included in the original presentation! David was the last son of Jesse and was despised by his oldest brother; however, he was God's choice to be King (see I Samuel 16:5-13).

God often chooses those who are the littlest, least, and last so He can show His power in and through them and get the glory for it.

When Saul was first chosen to be King of Israel, he was "little in his own sight” (see I Samuel 15:17). However, his heart grew proud and disobedient, and because of this God told him, “… The LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel" (I Samuel 15:26).

The Apostle Paul was able to be used mightily by God because of his humble view of himself. He said, “I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle …” (I Corinthians 15:9). He also wrote of himself that he was “less than the least of all saints” (Ephesians 3:8).

When writing to the church in Corinth, Paul explained that “the weakness of God is stronger than men. … And God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and the things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. … That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (I Corinthians 1:25-31).

Jesus could have come into the world with great power as a grown man, but He chose to enter the world as a helpless little baby.

If we have an exalted opinion of ourselves, we will tend to look down upon little ones whom God loves and wants to honor. (See Romans 12:3.) Therefore, let's reassess our own "size" in the presence of our holy and mighty God and not overlook the great value and potential that God has placed in the littlest, least, and last.