“Not By Might Nor By Power, But By My Spirit…!”

“Not By Might Nor By Power, But By My Spirit…!”(Zec.4:1-4).
The way God has set the time for everything baffles us. Lessons of the past should humble us, or we risk grave fatalities. “Nothing lasts forever.” All things will pass away, including wealth, fame, power, authority and influence.
In his time Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the temple and carried the elite corps into exile. His influence lasted only as long as God wanted.
Cyrus, king of Persia soon became the new conqueror, overthrowing the Babylonian empire of Nebuchadnezzar. In his time of conquest the LORD said Cyrus was his anointed whose right hand he took hold of to subdue nations…and strip them of their armor…”(Is.45:1ff). Even so he did these things “so that you may know that I am the LORD.”
Nebuchadnezzar had not wanted the exiled Jews to worship their God, but when Cyrus conquered Babylon he issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Zerubabel led about 50000 Jews who went home to Jerusalem and began work on the temple.
It was no mean feat. They had some opposition and challenges which caused the project to halt. Work resumed later when Darius the Great, became king of Persia in 522BC.
We can imagine the frustration of Zerubbabel when the work was stalled!
The LORD told Zerubbabel and Joshua, the high priest and all the people to be strong and work.“For I am with you…And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear”(Hag.2:4-5).
In the same way and for the same purpose and to the same effect God’s word came to Zechariah, Haggai’s contemporary, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it…”
When the project is the LORD’s project, he will surely take it to completion, notwithstanding the challenges or how long it takes!
As we continue to celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, keep this one truth in mind:“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty. By the Spirit of the LORD the mountain of opposition before you will become level ground!
Prayer: LORD, if it is your project let your Spirit do it for me in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.