By My Spirit

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain…” (Zechariah 4:6-7 ESV)

Every Christian has been called by God for acts of service. We are to serve (or love) the Lord God with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37); and to serve (or love) our neighbour as ourselves (v.39).

Just consider this call we have all been given for a moment. How adequate do you feel for the task?

We may think that we are not talented enough, that there is too much opposition, and that we are just not up to the job; and that’s true, on our own it’s an impossible calling. But if God has called us he will achieve these things in and through us.

Zerubbabel had a clear call from God to rebuild the Temple, and God made it clear to him that this was going to be accomplished, not by his might or power, but through his Spirit.

This should prove a source of encouragement to us because when we think we have to fulfil God’s calling in our strength God gently whispers to us, ‘it’s by my Spirit!’

In those few words the encouragement extends to challenge because the Holy Spirit wants to accomplish far more than we can do or even conceive as he works powerfully in us.

Our task is to keep in step with his powerful lead, remembering that God’s view of power is very different to the world’s view. It’s not in your face, arrogant, belittling or bombastic. Power in the Kingdom of God is built on weakness; on a crucified Saviour.

We exercise service, humility and love through our weakness in the power of the Spirit.

In Judges 7 Gideon defeated the Midianites in the weakness of 300 men and the power of God. In John 6 five thousand people were fed in the weakness of 5 loaves and 2 fish and the power of God.

Jesus says to each one of us, come to me in your weakness and go forward in my strength. I’ll multiply what you have so you can do far more than you could possibly imagine.

God hasn’t called us to live out our faith on our own. He hasn’t called us to fail. He will equip and empower us to do great things for him. And as we give the honour and glory to God the world will know that the Lord Almighty has done it.

With the encouragement that the Spirit works in and through us are we up to the challenge of following his lead?

As we do so great mountains will become plains as God blesses our calling. (cf. Zechariah 4:7 NIV)

Have a good week living by God’s Spirit.

Pastor Barry