John 6:9: There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean,
and the pleasant land.
So the little moments,
humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages,
of eternity.

Our contemplation this morning will be on a serious of little things, little observations, little contemplations all different but strung together to put into focus the things we so often overlook or take for granted yet are so vitally important.

The first contemplation we shall explore is the question of WHAT IS LITTLE TO GOD?

Psalm 6:3-9 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For though hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; though hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen. Yea, and the beats of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

This world is but an atom in the vast dominions over which God presides, yet this little fallen world – the one lost sheep – is more precious in His sight than are the ninety and nine that went not astray from the fold, Christ, the loved Commander in the heavenly courts, stooped from His high estate laid aside the glory that He had with the Father, in order to save the one lost world. For this He left the sinless worlds on high, the ninety and nine that loved Him, and came to this earth, to be “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 5:5)- {Christ Object Lessons 190.3}

THE STAMP OF OUR CHARACTER

Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

Acts make habits and habits constitute character. There is no fear of overlooking great things, but there is peril in overlooking and undervaluing little things. God is the God of the whole man, and the little things are essential. God is a God of the whole man, and not a God of the part. He made all, He redeemed all, and He must be served in all, and then He will bless all, soul and body. Our entire life will then be glorified, and every breath, every sound, every touch will be peace and light and happiness. – {In Heavenly Places 66.5}

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Who can know, in the moment of temptation, the terrible consequences that will result from one wrong step? – {Conflict and Courage 21.6}

Do not underrate the importance of little things because they are little. By action and reaction these little defects accumulate and bind themselves together like rods of steel. That little action, that unguarded word, repeated, becomes habit, … and habit constitutes character…. – {That I Might Know Him 209.4}

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

“Never underrate the importance of little things. Little things supply the actual discipline of life. It is by them that the soul is trained that it may grow into the likeness of Christ, or bear the likeness of evil. God helps us to cultivate habits of thought, word, look, and action that will testify to all about us that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him!” – The Youth’s Instructor, March 9, 1893.

Nothing with which we have to do is really small. Every action is of some account, either on the side of right or on the side of wrong. It is only by exercising principle in small transactions of ordinary life that we are tested and our characters formed. In the varied circumstances of life we are tested and proved, and thereby we acquire a power to stand the greater and more important tests that we are called to endure, and are qualified to fill still more important positions. The mind must be trained through daily tests to habits of fidelity, to a sense of the claims of right and duty above inclination and pleasure.

BY EVERY LITTLE WORD

1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Proverb 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

The truths of the word of God are to be brought into contact with the supposed little things of life. If rightly regarded they will brighten the common life, supplying motives for obedience and principles for the formation of a right character. – {Adventist Home 189.2}

“The devil is in the details” – and so he is. If Satan can convince us to “stop sweating the small stuff” regarding the importance of “every word” in the Scriptures – Psalms 27:1 the Lord is my light and my salvation Psalms 119:47 I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

Colossians 3:22-24 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

NATURES LITTLE EXAMPLES

Proverbs 30:24-28 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.

The wise man calls our attention to the small things of the earth: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise; which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” We may learn from these little teachers a lesson of faithfulness. {Child Guidance 59.2}

Above any other agency, service for Christ’s sake in the little things of everyday experience has power to mold the character and to direct the life into lines of unselfish ministry. {Child Guidance 296.1}

GREATNESS COMES THROUGH SMALLNESS

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

CAPTAIN NAAMAN

2 Kings 5:1 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

It is the little things that cross our path that are likely to cause us to lose our power of self-control. – {Christ Triumphant 170.6}

ELISHA

2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, whish poured water on the hands of Elijah.

What was the first work of Elisha? It was to take up the little things, and do them with heartiness. He is spoken of as pouring water on the hands of Elijah his master. He was the prophet’s personal attendant. – {CTr 168.2}Any work, however small it may appear, that is done for the Master with a thorough surrender of self, is as acceptable to Him as the highest service…. Humble, willing service is before everyone who claims to be a child of God. – {Christ Triumphant 168.3}

No one is qualified for great and important work, unless he has been faithful in the performance of little duties. It is by degrees that the character is formed, and that the soul is trained to put forth effort and energy proportionate to the task which is to be accomplished. [20] – {Child Guidance 37.2}

The Lord desires that you should be faithful in little things, that you do the every-day duties which appear small and unimportant, thoroughly, and to the best of your ability. You are in danger the moment you are satisfied in doing carelessly the work committed to your hands. Remember that what is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. – {Youth Instructor September 29, 1892 Par. 4}

AS LITTLE CHILDREN

Matthew 18:2-3 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom

Young children love companionship and can seldom enjoy themselves alone. They yearn for sympathy and tenderness. That which they enjoy they think will please mother also, and it is natural for them to go to her with their little joys and sorrows. The mother should not wound their sensitive hearts by treating with indifference matters that, though trifling to her, are of great importance to them. Her sympathy and approval are precious. An approving glance, a word of encouragement or commendation, will be like sunshine in their hearts, often making the whole day happy. – {Adventist Home 190.4}

Those who do not overcome in little things will have no moral power to withstand greater temptations. – {4 Testimonies 574.2}

LITTLE ATTENTIONS, LITTLE AFFECTIONS MAKE THE SUM OF LIFE’S HAPPINESS

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

God tests and proves us by the common occurrences of life. It is the little things which reveal the chapters of the heart. It is the little attentions, the numerous small incidents and simple courtesies of life, that make up the sum of life’s happiness; and it is the neglect of kindly, encouraging, affectionate words, and the little courtesies of life, which helps compose the sum of life’s wretchedness.– {Adventist Home 108.2}

sanctification takes in not only our greatest, but our smallest actions. The little things done for Christ’s sake, humble acts of kindness, a cheerful disposition to do others good,—this is confession of Christ – {Signs of The Times April 13,1891 Par.2}

CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE IN LITTLE THINGS

John 20:6-8 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about hi head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed.

It was Christ Himself who had placed those graveclothes with such care. When the mighty angel came down to the tomb, he was joined by another, who with his company had been keeping guard over the Lord’s body. As the angel from heaven rolled away the stone, the other entered the tomb, and unbound the wrappings from the body of Jesus. But it was the Saviour’s hand that folded each, and laid it in its place. In His sight who guides alike the star and the atom, there is nothing unimportant. Order and perfection are seen in all His work (The Desire of Ages, 788, 789). – {Lift Him Up 99.6}

Christ, the risen Saviour, possessed no haphazard habits. His work was not marred by disorder. He carefully folded the napkin that was about His head. Our work must be done just as we wish our character to appear. It is to be built so that it will stand the test of trial. The Lord help us to work solidly. – {15 Manuscript Releases 40.2}

He was the Majesty of heaven, doing work for the future and yet taking up and adjusting matters for the present; neglecting not the smaller matters, yet working out the mightiest plans for the inhabitants of a fallen world. – {This Day with God 279.4}

CONTENT WITH THE LITTLE

Zechariah 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things.

1 Corinthians 12:29-30 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the  Father by him.

…In every little matter of life, in your deportment, in your forbearance, patience, long-suffering, you make known to others whether or not you are abiding in the living Vine. Jesus must be revealed in our every-day life, by the practice of the virtues that he revealed in his life. – {Signs of the Times April 13, 1891 Par. 2}

Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Matthew 25:21 His Lord said unto him, Well done, thy good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Steven Caruana