Living Only By His Strength

Some days we pray, “Lord give me strength.”

We are going through something challenging or scary or upsetting or frustrating.

We feel weak, tired, exhausted and frustrated.

We realize how much we genuinely need His strength to help us every single day.

How much we need to live only by His perfect strength.

And we pray…

Lord Give Me Strength

I was reading from Zechariah 4.

In that chapter, there are principles about strength that can help us.

At the time of this writing, the Jews had returned to Judah and were in the process of rebuilding the temple of the Lord.

The first 8 chapters of Zechariah are words of encouragement to God’s people.

They were discouraged because they faced great challenges and obstacles as they worked on the difficult task of rebuilding. They were tired of the process.

I love the wording of chapter 4.

Verse 6 says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.”

The people were praying, “Lord Give Me Strength” and God’s answer was immediate.

Our strength comes from Him alone.

Not us. Him.

What does that teach us?

Reminder #1 – It wouldn’t be by their own strength that they finish the temple. No, it would be by the strength of the Spirit of the Lord.

The people of God were tired. They were frustrated by the long process. They were struggling to keep going.

They were emotional from the many transitions they’d faced.

And God reminded them they can do it. They can do it because HE can do it through them.

When God’s Spirit gives us strength, we can accomplish great and mighty things.

When we try on our own, we can’t get as far or do as much. Often, doing it in our own strength means we fail.

Reminder #2 – God is bigger than any mountain or struggle we face.

Zechariah 4 goes on to say, “What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.”

God was saying, “What is a mountain? That is nothing compared to me! I can make that level and I will see this temple completed through you. Don’t worry… I’ve got it under my complete control. And when it is done, you will know that I did it.”

We can look back and see that God did it. Looking back can be scary but when we do, we see how God has worked through us, in us and for us.

Reminder #3 – Don’t despise the small stuff. God sees eternal value in the little things we do for Him. He has purpose for the everyday menial tasks we perform each day as we build His kingdom and live in service to Him.

We read, “Who despises the day of the small things?”

The building of the temple was tedious work. It required great attention to detail and perfection. The people were tired of the little things, the small work, the menial tasks. It was getting old. and fast.

But as we work in the small things, God does BIG things.

Go back to verse 6. It is by His strength that the mountains are moved and the tasks are completed!

We are tools that He can use. Do not get discouraged in the process… let God work through you!