By R. J. Findley, Jr.
At the time of the writing of the above lines, the state and position of Israel were at a rather low ebb. God, in his visions to Zechariah, is setting forth his plans for Israel in the contemplated building of the temple in Jerusalem. He points out there would be difficulties, but they were not to be discouraged. A mountain placed in his way, and a plain, both hinderances, would be removed. A foundation having been laid, assurance was given that what had been started would be finished. Those who might have despised the day of little things would rejoice to see the plummet in the hands of God’s servant.
The Lord, on many occasions, carried out His plans with modest numbers of men. His promise to Abraham that his seed would be as countless as the sands of the seashore had its beginning with righteous Noah and his three sons. Just seventy souls went down into Egypt to emerge two hundred and fifteen years later a nation estimated by some as between three and one-half and five million. Gideon, with three hundred men, vanquished a mighty horde of enemies, and the twelve apostles in a short period of forty years evangelized the entire then known world.
In the early days of the church in America, the greatest progress since its establishment was made. This was accomplished by zealous men, preaching to small groups in isolated places. But not so in this present age. We erect large buildings, hire high priced, big time preachers, become sated with good preaching and teaching, and resting on our oars, say, “look what we are doing.” As a result socialized gospel is rampant, and we appear as were the church at Laodicea; rich, and increased with goods, and have no need of anything, and have become wretched, miserable, poor, and naked.
What, then, is the answer to our problems? First of all, we need to be fully converted ourselves and quit making a plaything of the religion of Jesus Christ. We need to go again to the small towns and communities and carry the good tidings to the less sophisticated. How can this be done, some may ask? Well, we could start as Moses did, where he was, and begin as Elijah did with what we have, and be not weary in well doing.
Truth Magazine, XVIII:2, p. 14
November 8, 1973