Isaiah 60

I have seen many stories of late about the declining number of Christians in North America. In recent years, many denominations have been faced with the problem of how to “keep” the members they have, let alone trying to find ways to attract new ones. And now, this year, with all the Covid shutdowns, some churches are in worse shape than ever before!

We like to “count heads.” Perhaps we believe there is strength in numbers. Perhaps we should have paid a little more attention to David’s experience when he tried to take a census (1 Chron 21). Often, God doesn’t want us to put any stock in numbers.

You see, He views numbers a little differently than we do: ”The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.” (vs 22) God can mushroom one into a thousand. He can make a great nation from one individual. He declares that it is His work to do, and He does it in His own time.

Haven’t you noticed this about God? He prefers to start small. A mustard seed (Matt 17). A boy’s small lunch (Matt 14). A gathering of two or three (Matt 18). Two or three: how many of us would even call that a church?! Yet, this is how God works. He takes the smallest thing we can think of and then multiplies. While we’re thinking of how to add one or two, He’s planning to add one or two million. He is always thinking bigger than we can imagine.

God loves multiplication, and He’s a master at it. If we allow Him to accomplish His purpose in His way and in His time, we will discover that He is able to do far, far more than we could ever hope or dream. He is capable of doing things beyond our wildest imaginations!