Many thanks to Shirley from England who has sent this most topical article from her friend Penny in Cornwall. Enjoy….

Gibber! Gibber!

Chugley

SMALL IS GREAT

By: Penny from Cornwall England

We have all heard the analogy of ships big and small being directed by their small rudders. Without the rudder the ship would be helpless no matter how big and powerful it might be in other ways.

Reading Jeremiah is like reading today’s news. Jeremiah was a lone voice declaring the Lord’s truth and giving clear instructions from the Lord as to the consequence of His people’s wickedness. However, too many other voices were saying all is well and bringing messages of peace.

In Jeremiah 10 v 16 we read:

‘Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name’. The Rod of His inheritance.

A rod can be used for discipline and correction but also for guidance and direction, for strength and protection, hence David saying, ‘thy rod and thy staff they comfort me’.
As we know, Israel is the Lord’s first born son (Ex 4 v 22) and Israel is one of the smallest nations on earth. God loves the small and through the small reveals His greatness. (While ‘small is great’, His greatness in using the small reveals His wonderful lovingkindness and so much more).

In the world today, big has become great. We have big companies, big nation-linked organisations, big schools, big churches, big houses, big cars, and it seems the bigger the better. Small has almost become a reproach, looked down upon with scorn and disdain.

But not in God’s eyes; He loves the small and works with and through the small.

Back to Jeremiah chapter 10 and the rod of His inheritance, the Lord is speaking loud and clear to all of Israel, which is where they are, that Israel is His. But move on to chapter 51 v 19 ‘Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name’. The full verse is an exact repeat of v 16 of ch 10. Do read all the surrounding verses they speak of the wonderful power and might of our God. Here the Lord again is speaking of Israel, but this time His inheritance, a small group of people, are in the midst of the great Babylonians. He still loves His people and is directing them even when they have been so disobedient.

There are only three references to the rod of inheritance and the third is found in Psalm 74 which starts ‘O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt’.

Maybe some today are saying where are you Lord? But let’s keep our focus because the psalmist goes on to write in v 12, ‘For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth’. And clearly the Lord is still at work today bringing salvation to thousands. Hallelujah!

Remember the story of Gideon in Judges 7 where God said his army was too big and sent 42,000 home. Then only chose the 300 who lapped the water in the same way. God’s ways are definitely not our ways. But small is clearly of great value in the hands of an Almighty God as it reveals His Greatness.

Look again at ‘small is great’ for a moment.

For some years we have been hearing about ‘church without walls’. In many parts of the world meetings are held outside because it is too hot to be inside . But also many poorer areas have not been able to afford to build buildings.

How did they do it in Jesus’ time? Jesus clearly spoke outside often as to  ‘multitudes’. Also he spoke in houses, as with the man who was lowered down through the roof of the house (Luke 5 v 19). He is also recorded as speaking in synagogues, but these were local congregations, and what He said was often very challenging to the Pharisees.

In Acts it is very clear they met so often in homes. That is ‘small’ and the gospel travelled fast by word of mouth and by people travelling about. Yes, we read about the apostles starting groups in areas and they appointed leaders but they still met in homes or outside. They also met daily and there are many places around the world where believers get up early to meet for an hour or more before going to work.

Covid 19 is a blessing for us, making us revert back to the small for the Lord to use.
Instead of sitting and just listening week by week in Church, in this environment we can discuss the Word, pray together, take communion and have true fellowship which are the 4 pillars of His body, (Acts 2 v 42).
But also…..Praise God for new initiates in this time of Lockdown restrictions, like the Rev Matt Timms of Wave House Church in Newquay, Cornwall, UK, who fasted 40 days before approaching the local Newquay council for permission to have a worship meeting in a car park, which they granted. The first drive-in Church service in the UK. This has been picked up by UK Christian TV, Premier Radio and GodTV. Other churches are now looking to do the same right around the world.
If it rains, so what? Our God is the same God as the God of Elijah and can halt the rain and there are many today doing crusades and crying out to Him to stop the rain, storm or hurricane AND He is answering their prayers. Hallelujah!

Matt 28 v 18 – 20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, evenunto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16 v 15 – 20 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

While many are indeed reaching out, is it time for all believers to step outside the walls of restriction into the ancient paths from which perhaps we have stumbled (Jer 18 v 15)?.  Then that wonderful Rod of His Inheritance can guide, direct and encourage every small little group to share with those around who are so full of fear at this time.

Small Is truly Great.