Today's Verse: Zechariah 4:5-6

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

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

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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.
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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 Wednesday, August 5, 2009

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'Sword of the Spirit' (He. 4:12)
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the....."

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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