By My Spirit
By Ryan Dawson
I love the story of Zerubbabel found in the book of Zechariah. Zerubbabel was the governor of the province of Judah who led the first group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem during the Babylonian Captivity under Darius, the King of Persia. Zerubbabel, along with Joshua, the High Priest, began the daunting work of rebuilding the Second Temple. He faced incredible opposition as a man and as a leader, to the point where he felt weighed down and was tempted to quit. He saw his circumstances as mountains towering above him and threatening to crush him. When the work stalled due to this internal and external adversity God sent the prophet Zechariah to challenge and encourage this man. I believe these words are also recorded to encourage us as we walk by faith in our broken world.
Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’” Zechariah 4:6-7
Are there any mountains in your life today? It might be a relationship issue, a health concern, some financial pressure, a work challenge, or ministry assignment, which looms large over you threatening to snuff the life right out of you. In these moments when we feel weak and fearful, we need to remember the words of our warrior God who fights on our behalf: “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit says the LORD.” We will not be able to rise above our circumstances, or accomplish the great assignments in our own strength. We desperately need to rely on the Spirit of God who dwells within us as believers. This Spirit is the same spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, so I think He can handle the challenges that we face day by day. God is able to make these looming mountains like “level plains” and this is all rooted in His grace.
So, whether we are experiencing relational challenges at home or work, financial hardships, a personal health crisis, the task of leading in ministry, or seeing our family or neighbours commit to Christ, we need to remember that God fights for us, and He can do the impossible. We cannot lose hope, and we cannot quit, because there is work to do, and we believe that God will bless us as we walk by faith!
Fighting with you for God’s glory, Ryan
I love the story of Zerubbabel found in the book of Zechariah. Zerubbabel was the governor of the province of Judah who led the first group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem during the Babylonian Captivity under Darius, the King of Persia. Zerubbabel, along with Joshua, the High Priest, began the daunting work of rebuilding the Second Temple. He faced incredible opposition as a man and as a leader, to the point where he felt weighed down and was tempted to quit. He saw his circumstances as mountains towering above him and threatening to crush him. When the work stalled due to this internal and external adversity God sent the prophet Zechariah to challenge and encourage this man. I believe these words are also recorded to encourage us as we walk by faith in our broken world.
Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’” Zechariah 4:6-7
Are there any mountains in your life today? It might be a relationship issue, a health concern, some financial pressure, a work challenge, or ministry assignment, which looms large over you threatening to snuff the life right out of you. In these moments when we feel weak and fearful, we need to remember the words of our warrior God who fights on our behalf: “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit says the LORD.” We will not be able to rise above our circumstances, or accomplish the great assignments in our own strength. We desperately need to rely on the Spirit of God who dwells within us as believers. This Spirit is the same spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, so I think He can handle the challenges that we face day by day. God is able to make these looming mountains like “level plains” and this is all rooted in His grace.
So, whether we are experiencing relational challenges at home or work, financial hardships, a personal health crisis, the task of leading in ministry, or seeing our family or neighbours commit to Christ, we need to remember that God fights for us, and He can do the impossible. We cannot lose hope, and we cannot quit, because there is work to do, and we believe that God will bless us as we walk by faith!
Fighting with you for God’s glory, Ryan