Question:
What does it mean to despise the day of small things?

Answer:
The prophet Zechariah asked the question: “Who hath despised the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10). The verse before he said: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.”

 

Another prophet Haggai lived at the same time as Zechariah when the temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem, and he asked: “Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? And how do ye see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?”

(Haggai 2:3).

We are not to despise things just because they aren’t as “good” as they used to be; also, we shouldn’t desire “things” when we come together to worship, etc., because the LORD is there and He is all we need! For where two or three are gathered together unto My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
Notice the whole message Zechariah gave: “For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth” (Zechariah 4:10).