This is a powerful teaching on how to stay in faith when things aren’t progressing as fast as you’d like in a certain area of your life. It’s important to trust God in the process and remember that He’s not delaying things, He’s arranging things!
Watch the video teaching below, and follow up by reading the scripture references, praying the two prayers, taking the self-evaluation, and making the bold, faith-filled declaration all designed to help you learn to increase your capacity to understand God’s plan and timing and how to partner with Him as you go through the little-by-little times and patiently wait for your SUDDENLY!
What is the BIBLICAL little-by-little principle?
But little by little, in due time, by the power of God, the children of Israel would defeat their enemies and possess the promised land. The “little by little” principle states that some things take more time than other things depending on your capacity to handle them or receive them.
Scripture References
Exodus 23:30
Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.
Deuteronomy 7
20 Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished.
21 Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.
22 The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you.
23 But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.
24 He will give their kings into your hand, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand up against you; you will destroy them.
When you have to wait a “little” while to see justice against the wicked:
Psalm 37:10
Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong
…9For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. 10Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.…
When you are suffering or struggling in the “little” time of waiting:
1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
Where in the Bible does it say “little” becomes much?
Exodus 4:2
For Moses it was a rod, for Samson the jawbone of a donkey, for David a sling – for a small boy his lunch. Whatever it is – little becomes much when you place it in the Master’s hands.
God expects you to take the “little” He gives you and manage it and multiply in faith and good stewardship (honesty and integrity) in an effort to show God He can trust you with more.
Luke 16:10
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
…9I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings. 10Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?…
Matthew 25:21
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
Luke 19:17
His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
WILL GOD ALSO MOVE SUDDENLY? YES!!!
Isaiah 29:5
“But suddenly, your ruthless enemies will be crushed like the finest of dust. Your many attackers will be driven away like chaff before the wind. Suddenly, in an instant,
Acts 2:2
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Acts 16:26
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
Proverbs 3:25
You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
Acts 9:3-4
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
Prayer Strategies
Prayer To Increase Your Capacity To Understand What The Lord Is Doing And To Receive Your Suddenly:
“Lord, I ask you to show me what you’re doing little by little and increase my capacity to understand it. How can I help accelerate this? How should I be praying? How can I be more faithful? How can I come to a greater capacity to be able to receive this? What can I do in my home to prepare my household to be able to receive it? How can I pray for and speak into my spouse, my child, my nation, or _______ situation? How do I prepare my ministry? How do I help get the people ready to receive it? How should I be partnering with your Holy Spirit to prepare the capacity? Lord, I want to get stronger. I want to be bolder. I want to be prepared when it’s time to take the promise!”
“Holy Spirit my helper, I ask in Jesus name that you to go to _______, and increase their capacity, Holy Spirit. Give them more understanding, and even though they’re not able to handle it all at once, increase the trickle to them, Holy Spirit. Give them more of the little-by-little, in Jesus’ name, amen!”
How To Pray When You Are Frustrated In The Waiting:
“Father God, forgive me for my frustration. I know you can do much with little. I know you have a plan for this person/situation _______, and I put them/it into your hands. What can you do with this person/situation _______, Lord? I’m in expectation of Your glory, and I will be obedient to do my part, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Self Evaluation:
- How has God been moving little by little in your life?
- Are you increasing your capacity to receive the suddenly?
- How is your capacity increasing?
- What are you doing with the little that God is giving you?
- Are you being faithful with it?
Declaration:
Declare Out Loud:
“I declare that my capacity to receive from the Lord is being expanded swiftly, and quickly, and that I receive more faith, more boldness, more understanding, more anointing of the Holy Spirit. I open up my arms to receive. Lord, increase my capacity to receive, in Jesus’ name!”