Insignificant: How God Uses the Weak and Small
Throughout Scripture, God consistently demonstrates His delight in using what the world considers small, weak, and insignificant—from a boy's meager lunch to a shepherd's simple rod—revealing that His power is made perfect in human weakness.
God's Pattern: Using the Weak to Display His Power
God delights to use small, weak things and unlikely people who need and rely on His power and ability, so the glory goes to Him while the vessel remains humble in their own eyes (1 Cor 1:27-31). When God works through us and we come into a place of more prominence, we must maintain that place of humility—remaining little in our own eyes and remembering our roots (1 Sam 15:17).
A pearl of great value is started by a worthless grain of sand
The temptation is to become proud when God works through us, thinking by our own power and ability we have achieved the victory, when in fact it is all His doing. We are only the channel through which He works, and His glory He will not share with us (Deut 8:17-18; Jdg 7:2; Ps 60:12; Isa 42:8, 48:11; Zech 4:6; Act 12:23). We must remain reliant and dependent upon Him, recognizing that of ourselves we cannot do anything of lasting spiritual value without Him (Jn 5:30).
It was only one small stone, directed by the God-honouring, youthful David, that downed the armour-clad giant Goliath and turned the tables between the Israelites and Philistines (1 Sam 17:45-52). Gideon said, "My clan is the weakest, my family the least," yet God displayed His power through this humble vessel in an outstanding way (Jdg 6:15, 7:7,22, 8:10). These accounts reveal God's consistent pattern of choosing the weak to shame the strong.
A mustard tree grows from a tiny seed, so we should not despise the day of small beginnings (Zech 4:10; Mt 13:31-32). A rudder and the human tongue are small and almost insignificant, yet each has a powerful influence (Jas 3:3-6). The kingdom of God operates on different principles than the world—what appears small and insignificant often carries eternal weight and divine potential.
Little becomes much in God's hands
The Danger of Dismissing the Small
Similarly, we must not disregard or treat as of no consequence any sin in our life—it can rapidly grow and get out of control. We must deal decisively with sin, recognizing how a small amount of yeast has a powerful effect on a huge amount of dough (Mt 13:33; 1 Cor 5:6; Gal 5:9). The principle of small beginnings applies not only to good but also to evil; what seems minor can have massive consequences if left unchecked.
A long journey is made up of numerous seemingly insignificant steps—it is the cumulative effect that brings about the result of completing the journey. As each member of a local church does their part, faithfully fulfilling their calling, using their initiative to make their mark for God, there will be a valid witness into the community (Eph 4:16). Sometimes there is a temptation to think because my role is small, no one will notice if I don't carry it out; however, this only puts a bigger burden on others. We must contribute in a positive way to life.
Don't despise small beginnings
The boy's meager lunch fed thousands when given to Jesus (Jn 6:3-13). God will do immeasurably more than we can comprehend through us if we yield our entirety unreservedly to Him, becoming the channel through which His power and love can flow to touch people. We must be sensitive and obey the Holy Spirit. We are not insignificant or unimportant in God's eyes; we must allow Him to work in and through us.
Do we see the potential in the ordinary? The shepherd rod of Moses was only a piece of wood until touched by God's power (Ex 4:2-5). We must allow God to demonstrate His grace through us and place ourselves at His feet. We should not make excuses why He can't use us; rather, in humility, we should say like Mary, "I am the Lord's servant, let it be as you have said" (Lk 1:38). We must be available, and He will give the ability. God delights to use what society overlooks.
God uses what society overlooks
Maintaining Humility While Being Used by God
Mary was young, female, and poor—none of these factors were to her advantage in the natural realm in her day, yet she was the instrument God used to bring our Savior into the world. Jesus said if we fail to show kindness to the least or unimportant people, in effect we fail to do it to Him (Mt 25:45). How we treat those whom the world considers insignificant reveals much about our understanding of God's heart and values.
Paul said, "Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me to preach...the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8). He humbly acknowledged of himself that he was not worthy to be a recipient of God's mercy, yet grateful he had received it, and so devoted himself to the Lord's service. We must maintain this attitude too, regardless of how the Lord works through us (Col 1:29).
Our significance comes from God
We are insignificant; He is mighty. Our prayers might seem insignificant, yet when voiced in faith to a powerful God, along with our corresponding actions, they will accomplish much. The key is recognizing that our significance comes not from who we are or what we can do, but from whose we are and what He can do through yielded vessels.
When we grasp this truth, we are freed from the need to prove ourselves, from the fear of being overlooked, and from the pressure to perform. We can rest in the knowledge that God knows us, loves us, and has a purpose for us—even if the world sees us as insignificant. The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, and He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph 1:19-20, 3:20).
God's power works in weakness
Reflection and Application:
- Reflect on areas of your life where you feel weak or insignificant—how might God want to display His power through these very things?
- Consider the "small beginnings" in your life or ministry—how can you remain faithful rather than despising them?
- Examine your attitude toward those whom society overlooks—how can you demonstrate God's love to them?
- Ask God to show you any areas of pride that have developed as He has used you, and choose to walk in humility.