SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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 4:6]
The basic message here is that Zerubbabel will do the impossible, because God will give Him the necessary power.
Zerubbabel is like a lamp, but not a lamp fed by human hands, but by mysterious golden pipes connected to olive trees (the source of the oil, the power).
God is the source of power, the Spirit is the power, and Zerubbabel is the lamp chosen by God to reveal His power.
So who are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.” [Zechariah 4:14]

There may have been specific ‘anointed servants’ in Zerubbabel’s day, equipped by God to witness and work on behalf of God’s kingdom.
The book of Revelation describes two more ‘olive trees’, prophets that witness in the last days.
I believe God always raises up witness and workers for His kingdom, but behind them all are the ultimate ‘Olive Trees’, chosen by God to accomplish His purpose.
They are Jesus the Messiah (anointed one), and the Holy Spirit (the anointing one).
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” [John 16:13-15]
The Father is the source, He entrusts it to the Son; the Spirit receives it from the Son and gives it to His followers.

The point behind it all is the same – we cannot accomplish God’s kingdom on our own.
Not with our money, our education, our talents, our cunning, our numbers, etc.
The only way we can succeed is by the Spirit’s power working in and through us.
This is the only way we can shine for Jesus, if He shines through us.
He is the source of the light of the world, we merely reflect the light of the world.
When we speak, when we witness, when we pray, when we encourage, when we work for the kingdom, when we work with the church, our only hope for success is our connection to Jesus and His Spirit.
Apart from Jesus and the Spirit, we will fail.

Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.
This is an important reminder for me today, as I strive to rebuild this church.
All my plans, programs, ideas, schemes, etc. will amount to nothing.
I still need to do what God calls me to do, but I need to remember that the hope for success lies in Him, and not in me or my efforts.

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for giving me everything I need to succeed for You. Help me not to rely on myself but on You, as I do what You lead me to do today.