Little is Much if God is in It

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

Little is Much if God is in It!

by Brent Madaris

Charles Spurgeon said that the prayers God answers are those prayers that begin in His heart. What does this mean?

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5:14).

When we pray according to His will, we are praying according to what is in His heart. I want my prayers to be answered and I am sure that you do too. Let us explore Ezra 9:8 together and learn.

“But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage” (Ezra 9:8).

Firstly, I want you to see Awareness. That little word “now” expresses Ezra’s awareness. Even as Ezra was speaking, he was aware that grace was being shown. Can we say the same? Can we say that right now, grace is being shown (in our lives, our homes, our church)? Yes! God is showing His grace right now! (Psalm 46:1, Exodus 3:14). Our God is the reality. It is time that we seek Him and believe Him! He is the ever-present God that is able (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Secondly, I want you to observe Opportunity. We live in a day of sin which is corrupting our society, dividing our homes, destroying our communities and our country. As badly as we have behaved, it is a wonder that we are still here! God is giving us space to repent. Our God is willing to show us His grace right now in every situation! (Lamentations 3:22).

Thirdly, I want you to meditate for a moment on the Remnant. We are definitely living in the generation of the remnant. A remnant is something that is left when more desirable parts are taken away. I remember going to the fabric store with my mom when I was a kid. She would buy fabric to make clothes, but she would often go to the back and buy remnants because she could find a use for them. There needs to be prayer that God will take up the Christian remnant of our day and find use for them! Noah and his family were the remnant—both before and after the Flood (Genesis 7:23). Joseph was also the remnant that God used mightily (Genesis 45:7).

Fourthly, notice the Nail. The nail is the smallest little peg upon which something can be hung! It is not much, but it is a start! It is though Ezra is saying, “God has given us just a little chance!” It is as though a man is on a cliff and he has the slightest foothold. It makes me want to say, “Be careful man! Your position is precarious!” That is where Ezra was and where we are at today!

Fifthly, look at the Light. God wants to give spiritual insight and understanding to His children (Psalm 119:18, 1 John 1:5–7). He also wants to open the eyes of the lost (2 Corinthians 4:4, Acts 26:18).

Lastly, consider the Reviving! Notice the phrase “a little.” This verse begins and ends with “a little”— “a little space” and a “little reviving.” These may be the days of little things, but even little things can be great.

As I conclude my thoughts, I want to leave you with this final idea. Ezra could have prayed for deliverance but he did not—he prayed for reviving in the bondage. God loves to work in the middle of our struggle and in the middle of our trouble. Let us pray that God will give us a reviving in the midst of our bondage!

About The Author

Brent Madaris is the pastor of New Haven Baptist Church in Summerville, GA. He is also a Family Nurse Practitioner. He has a Master of Divinity from Crown Seminary and is currently engaging Doctoral studies at Pensacola Theological Seminary.