Zechariah 4:6 – “So he answered and 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.’”
Zerubbabel is the secular head of Israel’s repatriated community and in this chapter is prophesied over to finish the rebuilding of the temple. His task will not be completed by human instrumentation but rather “by My Spirit.” It is this divine involvement that we must remember when we are attempting to do a work for God.
When we have been given a task to do by God there are several obstacles to overcome. One will be the intimidation of the sheer magnitude of the responsibility. When God does something He really knows how to do it and He normally calls people to do things beyond their ability. A second obstacle will be the humble beginnings and origins of the project. Looking at where we begin to where God wants it to go can be daunting. The two don’t resemble each other and there are a lot of steps between A and B. But there are two verses in today’s reading (besides our text) that are encouraging.
Verse 7 – “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!” God is able to remove any obstacle that stands in the way of His plans and level it to the ground. We do not need to be disturbed by difficulties. This is all part of the work of God. Remember, it’s not by might nor by power…we will be victorious!
Verse 10 – “For who has despised the day of small things?” Where you started will seem insignificant after God is finished. However, don’t despise the day of small things. That’s where you are tested and approved for bigger things. That’s the place where you exercised your faith and found God to be faithful. That’s the place you learned to trust Him. And that’s the place that much of who you are and what you believe was formed.
Whatever you’re attempting to do for God release it into the realm of “by My Spirit.” If you’re in charge it will go as far as you can take it. But when He’s in control, look out and get ready for big things. Things will move and will happen when God takes the lead!