The Power of His Spirit

Then 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 of hosts.

─ Zechariah 4:6

In his book, Experiencing the Spirit, Henry Blackaby asks a powerful question and then answers it –

“Will God ever ask you to do something you are not able to do? The answer is yes – all the time! It must be that way, for God’s glory and kingdom. If we function according to our ability alone, we get the glory; if we function according to the power of the Spirit within us, God gets the glory. He wants to reveal Himself to a watching world.”

It’s only by God’s Spirit that anything of lasting value is accomplished. Zerubbabel led the first group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem. He was responsible to rebuild the temple and he needed constant encouragement to do so. The Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple, but the work on it had been hindered and stalled. They were discouraged, harassed by their enemies and tired. But they had God on their side.

The Lord spoke to the prophet Zechariah and told him to tell Zerubbabel he was not building the wall in his own strength and power, but instead it was coming together by the Spirit of God.

As we live for God, we should determine not to trust in our own strength or abilities. Instead, we should depend on God and work in the power of His Spirit.

Today’s One Thing

How often have you come to recognize God’s ownership of something only after your best efforts have failed? How do you remember to lean into God and allow Him to work by His Spirit in your life?

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