Today's Verse: Zechariah 4:5-6

Friday, August 5, 1949

He answered, "Do you not know what these are?"
"No, my lord," I replied.
So 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 Almighty.
— Zechariah 4:5-6
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

There are times in each of our spiritual lives when we face challenges far too big for our own resources and strengths. Zerubabbel faced such a challenge. God sent a prophet to remind him, and remind us through him, that our greatest victories will not be won by our power and might. No, these most significant victories - the ones that catch us up in God's great story of salvation - will occur when we trust that God's power is greater than our weakness and God's might is greater than our insufficiency (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Ephesians 3:14-21). The real question that each of us must face is very simple: in our personal lives, and in our ministry efforts, where do we place our trust, and what is the source of our confidence? Are they in our abilities, skills, insight, and strength, or God's?

My Prayer...

Please forgive me, dear Father and God the Lord Almighty, for trusting in my own power too much and not leaning into you and your might. Forgive me, God, for being overwhelmed and afraid by the obstacles, challenges, and opportunities placed before me. Through your great stories of faithfulness and victory in the Old Testament, please stir me to trust that your power is at work in me and your people, as you empower us through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Victory Comes by the Oil of the Holy Spirit
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"Then he said to me, “This [continuous supply of oil] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel [prince of Judah], saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but..."
By His Spirit
Illustration of Zechariah 4:6
Inspirational illustration of Zechariah 4:6 -- 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.
Pneumatic Tools
Article by Mike Barres
What does faith have in common with a wrench? Just as a pneumatic wrench gives us more power to remove bolts, the power of God's Spirit, the pneuma, gives us power to live.

Illustration

Illustration of Zechariah 4:5-6 — He answered, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I replied. So 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 Almighty.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, August 5, 1949

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Lovers of Darkness' (Jn. 3:19)
"[Continuing his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'One Spirit to Drink' (1 Co. 12:13)
"Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Creator God Can Speak Realities into Being'
"Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock,....."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Jesus' Power Is Still Among Us' (Acts 3:16)
"[Peter continued,] "Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed — and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus' name has healed..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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