Little is much IF God is in it

By: Steve Huston

It was a little stone that felled the great giant Goliath. It was a little servant girl that pointed Naaman to Elisha who would give him the cure to his leprosy. Moses’ rod was little in comparison to the armies of Egypt. It’s a little faith that can move a mountain. It was God who reproved the Israelite’s ungrateful unbelief as they looked at the humble beginnings and the great task which lay before them with these words, “who hath despised the day of small things.” Yet, it was NOT the stone, the girl, the rod, the faith, or the work begun that was great; it was because God was in it!

Are you familiar with the chorus Little Is Much When God Is In It? I’m sure that several of our readers are.

“Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.”

Many of Christ’s followers think that they have little to offer; maybe we don’t have much money or influence or (name your own self-proclaimed shortcoming, Moses did). As we become elderly, this increasingly may be our feeling. Finances dwindle, strength begins to lessen, energy is low, eyesight dims, disease comes, and/or our mind may not be what it once was. Whatever “little” you have to offer, let God use it. The widow had but two mites; yet she gave all and Jesus said she gave more than the rest. Regardless what “little” we have we can still give praise and we can still pray. Let us be humbly willing to be used in whatever capacity our Lord deems necessary and calls us to.

The fourth verse of this song says:

“Are you laid aside from service,
Body worn from toil and care?
You can still be in the battle,
In the sacred place of prayer.”

“But Lord, it’s so small.” Jesus said: “whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” A cup of cold water seems small indeed; a moment of prayer or a listening ear may seem like nothing; sharing your testimony or giving praise for small things might feel insignificant; but if we are doing so because we are Jesus’ disciple, it will be used and a sure reward is ours. From beginning to end we are to be fit for our Master’s use and His glory (not ours) is to be our joy. Like Paul writes in Philippians 1:20 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Though the Apostle is referring to persecution specifically, we can also magnify Christ in our body through disease-ridden or natural death as well. How often have we witnessed saints who died well, even as they lived well?

No one but God knows what lies ahead in our future. We may lose all earthly possessions, our health, our freedom, or even our families. It is not outside the realm of possibility that we will find ourselves in prison because we’ve stood for Jesus. What we had once thought to be “little” in our own eyes may become “miniscule;” yet we have our life and as long as we have breath we are called to praise the Lord.

No matter how little and insignificant you may feel, God can use you.Some plant, others water, but God—and He alone—gives the increase. We have no idea how he might use us in our “little” things. Be faithful to Him in small things and large; for, little IS much when God is in it!

If you are not familiar with this song written in 1924 by Kittie L. Suffield I encourage you to read the lyrics below. They may likely be a blessing to you.

Little Is Much When God Is In It

In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling,
To the harvest calling you.

Refrain:
Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.

In the mad rush of the broad way,
In the hurry and the strife,
Tell of Jesus’ love and mercy,
Give to them the Word of Life.

Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.

Are you laid aside from service,
Body worn from toil and care?
You can still be in the battle,
In the sacred place of prayer.

When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, My child—well done!”

That is a phrase I long to hear: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I imagine you do too.

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