September 30, 2024 - Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬a

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin...” Zechariah 4:10a NLT

Lord, we see this verse shortly after Zechariah is telling Zerubbabel that the Lord is going to level the mountain he is facing. Lord, sometimes you will level our mountains (problems/struggles) in an instant. You, in your might, just make them disappear to never be an issue anymore. It is so easy to rejoice when you do that. But more often you don’t just wipe away our problems/struggles, but you help us remove them stone by stone. It is a process. This can be a lot less exciting, and much easier for us to get frustrated or even mad at the process. Lord, forgive us. Whether you choose to remove them in an instant or through a slow process, you are still removing the mountain. Help us to keep our eyes on you and praise you through the whole journey. Help us not to despise the process. It is in the process that we see you grow us, strengthen us, and prepare us for all that is to come. If we shortcut the process, then we likely will not have the strength or character that we need to accomplish all that you have called us to. Shortcuts might get us to something good, but they won’t take us fully into all that you have promised to us.

Lord, teach us to trust you and praise you through the process. Help us to praise you for each stone that is removed from the mountain, no matter how slowly it seems the mountain is coming down. We also ask for you to help us not to slow down the process. If we start trying to do things our own way or in our own strength, we will only drag out what you are trying to accomplish in us. If we choose to complain and not put our trust in you, like the Israelites, we will likely find ourselves wandering in the desert, not seeing the mountains torn down at all. Lord, we rejoice in your timing and your process.

In Jesus name, amen.