“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.—Zechariah 4:6
This word to Zerubbabel was to assure him that he would have an endless supply of the Spirit of God to complete the work of the temple. Praying that my own heart would receive this word “to Zerubbabel” with meekness. That I would come away strengthened with wisdom and might through His Spirit in my inner man and ready to obey. Oh, for a greater dependence on God and a decreased dependence on myself! Neither human might, wealth or physical strength is gonna be sufficient to get me through this vale of tears. This is so hard for me to learn. Even though I know intellectually that I have an abundant supply of His Spirit to carry me through each day, my heart’s natural bent is to trust in me...in my power...in my ability...in my resources. Weakness then for me is a good thing. I can rejoice in it, because it forces me to look to my God for help. In trusting myself, I miss out on seeing the power of His Spirit in my life. I miss out on what He has for me, because I am rejecting the help of the Spirit of God. Think about that for a second! Even saved with the evidence of His lovingkindness surrounding me, my heart STILL rebels and fights against Him. No good comes of it and yet I return to that same wall over and over again. How silly and foolish we are when we contend with our Maker. Praying that this morning, as I leave my chair and enter in to the “real” world filled with curve balls, trials and challenges, that I can be a light to my family and others, not in my own strength, but by the abundant supply and operation of His Spirit in my life.
Including some cross-reference verses that I found helpful to read.
2 Chronicles 14:11 (KJV)
11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee.
Isaiah 30:1 (KJV)
1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Isaiah 32:15 (KJV)
15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.
Isaiah 63:10-14 (KJV)
10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them. 11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, [and] his people, [saying], Where [is] he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where [is] he that put his holy Spirit within him? 12 That led [them] by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name? 13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, [that] they should not stumble? 14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
1 Corinthians 2:4,5 (KJV)
4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
2 Corinthians 10:4,5 (KJV)
4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Chronicles 32:7,8 (KJV)
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that [is] with him: for [there be] more with us than with him: 8 With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Psalm 20:6-8 (KJV)
6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 7 Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Psalm 33:16,20,21 (KJV)
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
Psalm 44:3-7 (KJV)
3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. 4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
