“This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” Zechariah 4:6-7 (KJV)
In the eyes of their neighbors, King Zerubbabel and the people of God were doing a small thing. The opponents of God thought that the purpose of God was too great for the people of God. And even God’s servants began to fear and doubt because of the physical circumstances and available resources. So, God sent a heavenly servant to the Prophet Zechariah with encouraging words to the King.
Zerubbabel might have considered God’s plan as the proverbial tall order. The mountain of obstacles might have seemed insurmountable. He might have wondered why God had chosen him to lead God’s work. Maybe Zerubbabel feared that he couldn’t achieve what God wanted. On the other hand, perhaps Zerubbabel thought he didn’t need God’s help. Maybe he thought he and his people could rebuild God’s Temple themselves.
At times, personal circumstances may seem insurmountable. Everywhere we look, another obstacle arises. The enemy whispers, “Every one has abandoned you. It can’t be done.” On the other hand, our ego may swell and convince us that we can do it all. But in either case, the Word of God thunders in our mind, “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.”
Human strengths and skill can never achieve the will of God to his fullest purpose. A majority vote will neither achieve nor defeat his objectives. What God inspires will only be completed by the power and strength of his Spirit. Only Holy Spirit power can defeat our difficulties and make our obstacles vanish. Only Holy Spirit power can set the final stone of his work. Only Holy Spirit victory enables us to shout, “Grace, grace unto it.”
No matter what our perspective of God’s assignment, only God’s Spirit can clear away the obstacles. But we can rest assured that God’s purpose is not a small work and his Spirit will achieve it all (v. 9).
Dear Father, thank you for the task you have assigned us. Enable us to rely upon your Spirit to achieve our assignments. Empower us to do our part and to know the difference between ours and yours. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in the power of the Holy Spirit,