“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2
God delights in making much out of little. Why? Because it defies human reasoning, leaving His power as the only explanation. In the words of the old hymn, “Little is much when God is in it!” Even though we see examples of this truth throughout Scripture, we often fail to trust it personally.
The prophet Micah gives an interesting detail about the coming Messiah. This great Ruler, Deliverer, and Judge would come from Bethlehem, a small and insignificant town. So much so, that it’s not listed among the places the clans of Judah lived (Joshua 15). From the New Testament, we know that after Jesus was born in an obscure stable, He grew up in another small town—Nazareth. As a matter of fact, so little was thought of this town that Nathanael said, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
But little is much when God is in it! Jesus demonstrated this principle in a tangible way when He fed a multitude from a boy’s small lunch. The disciples wanted to send the crowd away; telling Jesus, “We have only five loaves and two fish.” Making much out of little required the Master’s touch. He said, “Bring them here to Me” (Matthew 14:17-18).
For those who welcome His touch in their lives, the Lord still does much with little. Evan Roberts was one such person. God used this 26-year-old coal miner to unleash revival in Loughor, Wales. On September 29, 1904 Roberts spoke to approximately 17 young people at Moriah Church. He urged them to repent of their sin and surrender to Christ. Two months later, seventy thousand people had been converted. God shook a continent with one unknown young man who had a passion for Jesus Christ.
Do you believe that God can make much out of your little? Be careful not to fall into the trap of human reasoning. That’s how Israel’s religious leaders missed the Messiah, and how the disciples almost missed a miracle. Will you totally surrender to Jesus? If so, then He can shake the world! Not because of who you are, where you’re from, or what you have; but only because of who He is. Remember, little is much when God is in it!