Little by Little

“Little by Little”

by Pastor Kent Munsey

May 24, 2020

So [Elijah] went to Zarephath. When [Elijah] came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. [Elijah] called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

• 1 Kings 17:10-11 (NIV)

In this global pandemic, it’s the little things that we miss: going to a coffee shop, eating at a restaurant with our loved ones, or shopping in a store. It’s the little things that have become big things in this season. 

Scripture warns us to be on guard against the little things that can grow into big things. But, we also need to know that it’s little by little that God often works in our lives. If we are faithful with little things, we will be given larger things (Luke 16:10A). When we are faithful with what God has put in our hands, he will give us what he’s put in our heart.

God will not drive out the enemy in a single year, but little by little, and he goes before us (Exodus 23). This is how God reveals himself and blesses us. With just a little bit of faith, we will see God working and it will inspire us to continue to be faithful (Matthew 17:20). The mustard seed is very small, but its plant is very big. Small things always become significant. 

Throughout scripture, we see God working little by little.

1. God can do big things in little spaces and places.

The city of Zoar is where God shielded Lot and his family. The name of the city means small, but it’s where God showed up miraculously. Often it’s in the small, seemingly insignificant places in our lives where God shows up in a big way. God is not limited by little places. He can do big things in small spaces. 

Even in this time, we may think of the places we’re in as small or insignificant, but maybe God is showing up in a big way, through his protection, presence, and provision. 

2. God works little by little through people.

There is always someone near us that God has placed there to bless us. In scripture, we see that Job had three friends, and they were a negative influence on him. But after those three left him, his friend Elihu stayed with him a little longer, and he encouraged Job with everything that is true and right about God (Job 36:2 MSG). When we have those friends in our lives who remind us what is right about God, we can see what is right about us, and we can withstand the pain and find God’s purpose in our lives.

3. God provides supernaturally. 

Elijah asked the widow, who had a little bit of water and a little bit of bread, for these items, and her response represents no small miracle (1 Kings 17:12-16). He told her to take what she had and make some bread. Though, she didn’t see it, the little that she had was more than enough for her, her son and Elijah, not just for that day but for three years. That’s who God is. He puts in our lives everything we need for life and godliness. He takes our little bit of faith and works in our life little by little. He shows us what he’s already given us. 

Don’t overlook the little that God has given us because it’s everything that we need; in fact, it’s more than enough. Little by little is how God works--he works in the little places, he works through people who stay with us just a little bit longer, and he works through seemingly little resources. 

The miracle is always in the house. God has given us everything that we need. Can we see what God has given us? God just needs a little bit of faith from us to work and to bring his blessing and his favor.

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

1. What little thing will you pay more attention to now that you may have previously overlooked?

2. Describe a time when you thought God’s provision was too little and he surprised you.

3. What new perspective do you have of God, your life, and your dreams as you learn to navigate the concept of little by little?