God's Spirit- The Ultimate Power
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. (Zech. 4:6)
Zech 4:6-1o and 1:3-6; Isa. 30:15 and 40:31; Ezek. 37:13-19; Hos. 1:7; Acts 1:8; Eph. 3:16-19; II Cor. 12:9
What Is God Saying?
Zechariah was a young prophet born during the exile in Babylon. His name meant Jehovah remembers, and the theme of his message is in line with his name. ‘God has not forgotten you. He remembers His promises. He has compassion for you. He will return to you. Return to Him’ (Zech. 1:3). Zechariah stood side by side with Haggai, an older prophet. Together they encouraged the Jews to rebuild the Temple. Haggai was direct and pointed. While his message was stern and practical, both he and Zechariah prophesied a glorious future. They urged the people not to be discouraged by their depressing condition, ‘Get busy building the Temple. Put God first. Remember Him who remembers you.’
Zechariah was poetic by nature. His approach was through visions and imagery, but the message was the same as Haggai's. Through his bluntness, Haggai kept the people at work. Through his stirring imagery, Zechariah inspired the people to believe in the future. God needed someone (like Haggai) to remind the people not to retreat to the ways of their fathers, but He sent Zechariah to encourage them. One thing was of paramount importance, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.’ His main target was Zerubbabel, the Governor of Jerusalem, who stood in the genealogical line from David to Christ. He needed a boost. Conscious of his weakness, he needed and had to receive the encouragement of our verse today.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Of course, that verse, that thought, that ever-present reality is our greatest need today. We are often discouraged. We see the forces of evil descending on us like an overwhelming flood. In our personal and social lives, God lives, God remembers, and cares. Our world is adrift. As we wrestle against spiritual wickedness, we can and we do get discouraged, but our God reigns and our God remembers. ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.’
Pray With Me
Lord, I will make room for Your Spirit in my heart, in my mind and hands. Let Your Spirit live in that part of my life where desires are born. Let Your Spirit bathe my mind with the sunshine of God's blessing for then I will not hold life as if it were mine to command, to manipulate, or to waste. Then I will not want any place of prestige or power or influence except that into which I will be led with true humility by Your wisdom. I will not ask, ‘How far can I trust people before I must trust in God?’ Even less will I ask, ‘How far can I trust God before I must trust in people?’ Fill my mind with the confidence of Your power. I will have the peace that belongs to those who are convinced that Your love is omnipotent and unquenchable. I will live with people trustingly because their weaknesses and offences do not spell defeat.
Let there be room for Your Spirit in my hands. Then even in the smallest deed attempted, in the most ordinary tool selected, in the most common courtesy extended, may I be used in the work of Your kingdom and supplied by Your power.
To the glory of Him who showed on Calvary the all-conquering grace of Your Spirit. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
There is no single better way, indeed, no other way of receiving the power of God's Spirit than by prayer. ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength’ (Isa. 30:15). We must stop wrestling in our strength and start resting in God's strength. This was the word from Zechariah. This is the word to you and me.
