Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit

“So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6 N.I.V)

After the return of the Jews from captivity, Zerubbabel was tasked with the overall responsibility of rebuilding the temple while the prophets Zechariah and Haggai were tasked with the responsibility of providing spiritual and moral support as the work progressed. The returning exiles were quite discouraged by the enormous task ahead of them and the scarcity of resources for the work they were undertaking. They needed to be reminded that anything of lasting value comes from the Lord. The Lord himself would provide the will, the power, and the physical resources for the good work they had began and they should just get on with it.

This scenario is reminiscent of the defeat of the Amalakites in Exodus 17: 10- 17 where Joshua led his army to fight the enemy while Moses held them up with the staff of the Lord. While the Lord’s banner was held up they were winning and it had to be kept up until the final victory. After the triumph over the Amalakites the Lord told Moses to inform Joshua how the fight was really won lest he thinks it was by his might alone.

What are you building or have to fight against to get to where you need to be? “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”(Ephesians 6:17). The Lord himself will provide the will, the power, and the physical resources for the good work you have began. Depend on him and the power of His Spirit.

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“I began revolution with 82 men. If I had to do it again, I do it with 10 or 15 and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and plan of action”. Fidel Castro

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