God is in the Details

Always remember God is in the details:

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,
the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews
because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said,
“It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God
in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you
who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:1-4

Results are significant but do not underestimate the process.

For the early church in Jerusalem, some people were gifted in preaching the Word and intercessory prayer. There were other people who waited on tables and made sure that everyone received a sufficient amount of food. The Word of God spread rapidly and no one was starving because the details of building authentic community were valued. Do not ignore your intuitive sense that adjustments and tweaks need to be implemented. God gives detailed plans to His servants and reveals just enough of the plan to take the next small step.

Behind-the-scene decisions for a community or an individual set the stage for success. David knew that he would face Goliath, but he refused to put on Saul’s armor because it did not fit him (1 Samuel 17:38-40). That decision appeared to be insignificant, but it enabled the victory. Have you made private decisions that appeared to be minor but had great implications? In the major battles of life, the hidden factors often determine the outcome. There is a popular phrase that the devil is in the details. The truth, however, as we read Scripture is that the best details all belong to God. Let Him be the Lord of the details in your life, and He can redeem the biggest victories as well as the smallest aspects.

When assembling toy structures for my children, I admit that reading the instructions is often my last resort. That approach leads to unnecessary headaches in life. I naturally think about the bigger picture, but God has broken through my stubbornness and helped me appreciate the finer points of a plan. One passage that impacted me greatly was learning how God’s glory filled the temple after Moses diligently followed God’s detailed instructions (Exodus 40:30-38). If you trust Him for eternal life, why hold anything back from Him on earth?

When you start to value both the process and the details, you gain the results that come with getting the small things right. When have you noticed that what appear to be minor details are actually very significant? There are usually important intricacies in the specifics of a job description, collaboration efforts as you complete a group project, expectations in marriage, or discovering what faithfulness looks like in parenting. For example, your children will often benefit as they hear the reasons for your decision.

Marriages thrive when the final decision and the process of communicating support both partners. The details of timing, tone, and choosing the best words all contribute to a husband and wife maintaining unity during discussions. You will be respected at work not simply because of your performance, but even more so because people watched closely how well you interacted with your co-workers during difficult situations. Your character is evident in the manner in which you handle the aspects of your job that appear to be minor. God’s presence increases when He is honored in the details.

What are the key steps that you have identified to accomplish your God-given goals?