It Is By God’s Spirit That The Work Is Done

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.” Zechariah 4: 6, NKJV 

Dear God, we welcome every reminder of Your power and Your might; they bring us hope!  Please be with us as we study Your Word.  Amen

Our promise for today was given during the time of the rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem.  It was evidently a very difficult time, as is the case in most “new beginnings.”  Representing the difficulty that loomed before Zerubbabel (apparently an administrator or civil leader during the Babylonian captivity- SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, pg. 1094), is the mountain which is mentioned in verse 7.  In view of this apparent impediment to the reconstruction, God reminds Zerubbabel, that it is not by human power and ability that the work is going to be done, but by HIs Holy Spirit.

Many believe that the work of the Holy Spirit is restricted solely to the New Testament.  When we read Acts 1: 8 (we will study this promise on another occasion), “But you shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;” we seem to get the impression that the work of the Holy Spirit, was just beginning.  But our promise for today shows us another phase of the work of the Spirit.  You see my friends, when the going gets rough, flesh must retire, and make way for the Spirit of God to work.  God knew that when human beings started talking about the impossibility of the task that was before them, it would take the wooing of the Holy Spirit to keep the work moving forward.

Zechariah 4: 2, 3, 11, 12, makes mention of the two olive trees which supplied oil for the candlesticks.  This oil represents the Holy Spirit (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1094, 1095).  It is very encouraging to know that there is an inexhaustible source of power available to those who are busy in the work of the Lord.  If we are willing, God is both willing and able.

God promised Zerubbabel that just as his hands had laid the foundation of the temple, his hands would complete the construction thereof.  The completion would include his putting on the top stone, in the midst of shouts of grace (9, 7)!  This is exactly what happened (Ezra 3: 8; 6: 15).  Those who looked with disdain at the seemingly insignificant work that was done in the beginning would rejoice at the completion of the work (10).  This promise was coming from the God who completes every work that He begins in the lives of His children (Philippians 1: 6). 

It is helpful for us to remember, as we work for the Lord, that we are only instruments in the hands of the great God of the universe.  It is His Holy Spirit that brings conviction, conversion, and salvation.  What a privilege, and a honor, to be used by the Most High!  This reminder is also a wonderful way of keeping us humble.

“Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?  Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?  God specializes in things thought impossible.  He does those things others cannot do.”

Give God your mountain, He will give you back a plain!