As a Drop in the Bucket

“A drop in the bucket” means a very small or unimportant amount.

Did you know that this saying comes from the Bible?

Here’s the passage: Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity (Isaiah 40:15-17).

What is the biblical “drop in the bucket”? The nations. They are counted to God as relatively insignificant, small dust, less than nothing, vanity. The islands are a very little thing to God! (Have you seen Australia? Greenland? Indonesia?)

God is so great that nations are small to Him.

Today, we’re watching the whole world in upheaval about possible military intervention in Syria. Nations are getting their top men together for talks and calling their parliaments for special meetings. UN investigators are on the ground. The media say war is imminent.

And, God is in control.

Way back in Daniel’s time, God let people know He was in charge of the nations: that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men (Daniel 4:17b). Daniel’s lifetime wasn’t full of righteous kings, however. There were men like Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus that conquered, pillaged and ruled.

But God was in control.

Today, when the fear mongers get you shaking in your boots, remember, God is so great that these problems are little ones to Him.

It is also important that we pray for people, for leaders, and peace—keeping in mind that God wills that all would know about the truth. That’s our mission and our life.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:2-4).

God is still in control. The nations are only a “drop in the bucket.”

Trust Him. Praise Him!