The Details Count
The Details Count
God’s greatest plans often seem to rest on the tiniest of details. Take something as critical and foundational as the selection and anointing of David as king of Israel. The prophet Samuel visits Jesse’s house on a prospecting tour of his sons.
Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” (1 Samuel 16:10-11).
What if Samuel had not asked that question?
What if he had simply shrugged his shoulders and chose one of the other sons of Jesse to be king of Israel? The whole future of the Jewish race hung in the balance with that one tiny question. From our perspective at least, the lineage of Christ Himself depended on one little, seemingly insignificant query.
But Samuel did ask the question. “These fellows are just fine, Jesse, fine specimens of manhood. But … don’t you have any more?”
With that little question, history remained on course.
Look at the story of Esther. The entire Jewish race was about to be exterminated under the reign of Persian King Xerxes. But in Esther 6:1, we read: “That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him.” From there, the story goes on to report that the king found a very special Jew highlighted in the chronicles. The king decided to honor Esther’s uncle, thereby saving an entire race … and more.
But what if the king, on that fateful night when he could not sleep, had asked for a Sidney Sheldon novel? What if he had decided not to read, but to raid the royal icebox? What if he had opted for entertainment by the court jester? What if he’d popped a Sominex or two?
There are a million what-ifs. But the king—in God’s sovereign plan—chose instead to read the chronicles … something like back issues of U. S. News & World Report. And there was that little item about Esther’s uncle that jumped right off the scroll at him.
It overwhelms me to think about details. Small things. Small happenings. Truly, the greatest plans of God often hinge on the tiniest occurrences.
Do you ever find yourself tempted to think God isn’t concerned with the details of your life? Do you ever find yourself imagining that He concerns Himself with only those “big moments” in your life … Choice of college, career, mate, and so on? If so, you’d better think twice.
God’s sovereign plans for you embrace a myriad of seemingly insignificant details. What a challenge to trust Him … to obey Him in everything … to walk in the closest fellowship with Him!
Believe me, the details count!