“The first time I heard the song, ‘Little Is Much When God
Is in It,’ I was stunned by the powerful lyrics and music. But there’s
much, much more to tell you about this poignant song.
“Pastor Marion McCandless, my next-door neighbor, shared ‘the
rest of the story’ with me recently. Though now retired at age 91, he
colorfully described the setting to me as if it were yesterday.
“In 1957, while pastoring Midway City Church of the Nazarene
in Southern California, the denomination’s district superintendent asked Pastor
‘Mac’ to drive to Pasadena for a pastoral visit with an elderly couple. They
had served faithfully as traveling evangelists for years and years. ‘Encourage
and thank them,’ was the assignment.
“Fred and Kittie Suffield warmly welcomed Pastor McCandless
into their home and seemed to appreciate his visit. Granted, the visit was just
one of thousands of routine pastoral calls that Pastor Mac made during his 33
years at Midway City Church. But there was nothing routine about this
visit.
“When it was time for Pastor McCandless to leave, he began
to pray a blessing over this dedicated husband and wife. He didn’t know all the
details of their ministry nor their devoted years of faithful service, but
he knew that God knew.
“As Pastor McCandless prayed, he sensed the Holy Spirit’s
nudge to include this verse from the gospel song, ‘Little Is Much When God Is
in It.’ He ended his prayer:
“’Does the place you’re called to labor Seem so small and
little known? It is great if God is in it, And he’ll not forget his own.’
“’Little is much when God is in it; Labor not for wealth or
fame. There’s a crown, and you can win it If you’ll go in Jesus’ name. Amen.’
“Kittie Suffield opened her eyes and Pastor McCandless
remembers, ‘Her eyes twinkled!” ’She looked into his eyes and asked, ‘Do
you like that song?’
“Pastor McCandless smiled and said, ‘I love that song!
Why do you ask?’
“Kittie responded, ‘The Lord led me to write that song
in 1924 and now you’re here today—33 years later—and you included those lyrics
in your prayer. Oh, my.’
“Pastor McCandless couldn’t believe what he had just heard.
He thought about the goodness of God. He told me that he was so sobered—and so
humbled—that the Lord would give him the privilege of being a blessing to Fred
and Kittie Suffield that day.
“And Pastor McCandless also told me he has never stopped
telling this miracle story of ‘The Prayer in Pasadena!’”
Another wonderful story tells how Fred and Kittie met and
told how they met George Beverly Shea. It is told in the book "Then Sings
My Soul" by Robert J. Morgan:
"One snow-blanketed night, Canadian Fred Suffield awoke to an urgent
pounding on his door. A half-frozen man reported that a train had stalled in
the blizzard, and the passengers were in danger of freezing to death. Lighting
a lantern, Fred followed the man to the site and led the travelers back to his
house. Later one of the passengers, Kittie, wrote a thank you note. Fred
replied, and Kittie wrote back. Their correspondence led to courtship and to
marriage.
"Some time later, Fred and Kittie attended a church in Ottawa pastored by
Rev. A. J. Shea, and there they gave their lives to the Lord. As the couple
grew in Christ, they entered the ministry of evangelism. One summer they
invited Shea's teenage son, George Beverly, to spend a month with them in
Westport, Ontario, holding evangelistic meetings. One night, accompanied by
Kittie on the piano, Bev attempted to sing, but his voice cracked on the high
notes, and he sat down mortified, vowing never to sing again.
"Kittie wouldn't hear of it, suggesting he sing in a lower key. He did,
and he kept on singing, and singing and singing.
"Many years passed, and in June of 2000, Billy Graham came to Nashville,
Tennessee, for a four-night mission. At a reception for the Graham team before
the meetings began, George Beverly Shea, 92 at the time, rose to sing. His rich
baritone voice broke into a song that had been written 73 years before by
Kittie: 'Little is Much When God Is in It.'
"I thought it a strange choice of hymn. We were on the verge of the
greatest evangelistic effort in Nashville's history, headlined by the most
famous evangelist in the world. And Bev Shea's song was about the littleness of
our efforts. But later I realized how perfectly the song
fit. Compared to this great mission to untold multitudes, our own
individual ministries seemed small and insignificant. But God uses little
things in great ways. A tiny acorn may produce a forest. A spark may
ignite a revival. A small church might produce the next far-famed evangelist.
"Don't be discouraged if your place seems small. You're doing more good
than you know."
Godsbless.ing: This verse reminds us of the incredible gift of salvation that we have received from God. It emphasizes that our salvation and calling to live a holy life are not earned through our own actions or good works, but are freely given to us by God out of His grace and love. This is a powerful reminder that our relationship with God is not based on performance or merit, but on His sovereign will and purpose for our lives.
Dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com: And because we have been saved spirit, soul, and body we have a holy calling. We are called to be holy, called to be spiritual, called to be set apart unto God, and called to live a godly life that is well-pleasing to Him. This is His will and purpose for all who are born from above, and it is ALL by grace . . . God saved us and called us to live a holy life and He did this, not because we deserved it, but because this was His plan from before the beginning of time. He did to show us His grace.
Scripturesavvy.com, The imagery of planting and watering reflects the collaborative nature of ministry. We are reminded that each person contributes to God’s work, whether by planting seeds of faith or watering them to encourage growth. The principle here is simple yet profound: though different roles exist within the Church, all labor is valued equally. Each effort, big or small, plays a crucial part in the overall mission God has given us . . . In essence, Paul is saying that no task is insignificant in God’s eyes. Whether we are sharing the Gospel with someone for the first time, teaching children in Sunday school, or praying for others, each of these efforts contributes to the Kingdom of God. Everyone will be rewarded based on their faithfulness in these tasks. This encourages us to be diligent and joyful in our service, knowing that God sees our hearts and recognizes our contributions to His purpose.
Godsbless.ing: Have you ever faced challenges or obstacles in your life that have tested your perseverance and faith? This verse serves as a reminder that endurance and staying true to your beliefs, values, and goals are vital in overcoming difficulties and achieving your ultimate purpose. It encourages us to stay committed to our faith and values, even when faced with adversity or temptation.
Versebyversecommentary.com: The Christian life is a war, and
believers are its warriors going forth to battle. We are warriors who are
faithful to what the Bible says . . . Many are unaware that Satan is waging a
war with them. That war centers on the defense of the truth . . . If we allow
Him, the Captain of our soul will help us win the battle. He calls upon us to
fight the satanic war against us. We may lose battles, but we do not have to
lose the war.
Thebiblesays.com: Paul made clear that if we do not endure
in faithfulness, we will not receive the reward of reigning with Christ. This
is the best part of the reward of the inheritance, which Jesus will give to
those who live their lives as unto the Lord . . . As a result of having endured
to the end, Paul is confident that in the future there is laid up for me the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me
on that day.
Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: This I can claim as my due; but the crown I expect is not one of fading leaves, but a crown of righteousness; the reward which God, in his kindness, has promised to them who are faithful to the grace he has bestowed upon them.
Enduringword.com: Some people wonder if we will walk around heaven with crowns on, and everyone will notice who has the bigger and better crowns. But in the elders surrounding the throne of God take their crowns and cast them before Jesus – giving any trophy they have received right back to Jesus.
Versebyversecommentary.com: The Lord will reward believers according to their service. Believers who served the Lord will have an opportunity to cast their crown in worship before the Lord.
In the fast-paced world, we live in today, where achievements are measured in grand gestures and material abundance, the ageless message of the old gospels offers a calming refuge . . . This song, with its profound Christian perspective, reminds us that the power of faith and the touch of the divine can transform even the smallest of gestures into significant acts of love and compassion . . . When we offer our efforts, no matter how small, with pure intentions and a humble heart, God can use them in miraculous ways, touching the lives of others and transforming our own hearts in the process.
