Little Things

TITLE: Little Things
DATE: March 29, 2019
TEXT: Acts 4:11-12 - (ESV) - This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved
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Last year, the evening news told the story of a man who had hitchhiked from coast to coast. Naturally, when the rides were scarce, he ended up walking many miles in the journey.

After his adventure was complete there were many interviewers who wanted to visit with him. In almost every one of the interviews he was asked what was the most difficult thing he had to endure? What was the hardest part of your journey?
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Now honestly I thought he would say that his greatest difficulty was crossing the mountains or dealing with the hot sun. Those things weren’t the greatest difficulty.

There were some interviewers who felt the greatest problem would have been the heat of the desert or torrential rains. Those things weren’t the most insurmountable problems.

So, what was it that bothered him most? What was his biggest difficulty he had to endure? In the words of the traveler, "It was the very small stones in my shoe."

I could understand that. Small things can make life bitter.

Ask any Sunday School child, "What did Jesus do for you?", that child will almost always reply: "Jesus died on the cross to take away my sins." It is a perfectly proper answer. Jesus entire life lead up to those six hours on the cross. But if we could go to Jesus and ask, "What was the worst thing about Your suffering?", I wonder what He would reply?

Would He talk about the nails that pierced hands and feet, or the whip that ripped His back? Maybe Jesus would say the nails hurt, but that was a pain which was short and quickly over.

Perhaps His greater suffering was "the small stones in His shoes." Possibly Jesus would say His greatest burden was the fact throughout His life He ate the bitter herbs of being despised, and rejected.

If we were to ask Jesus "what is the greatest thing You suffer today?", what would He say?

Would He talk about the quickly-passing persecutions of His people by non-Christian leaders who are here today and gone tomorrow?

 Or would he talk about His people who, week after week and month after month, forget to give thanks for all the things He has done on their behalf?

Would He talk about the people who forget all of His blessings and complain as if the meal of their lives was composed only of bitter herbs?  I wonder what Jesus would say? I pray that I am not His greatest sadness and sorrow

By God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s power may I be granted a thankful heart and serve Him with dedication,

THE PRAYER: - Lord Jesus, with the Spirit's help I believe I can often fight the big fights of life. It's the small ones that I often lose. Keep me faithful in things both big and small. In Your Name. Amen.
 
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html