ZECHARIAH 4:6-10: “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. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ‘ ” Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Have you ever taken an inventory of your life? Think back to when you graduated from high school and the whole world was before you. Now, many years have passed, and one thing I think we can all agree on…

Life did not go the way we thought it would!

We all start life with dreams of the things we want to accomplish. Our perception of life at this young age is that life is a straight line. If we work hard enough we will achieve the goals we have set before us. Yet, we soon discover that life is anything but a straight line. It is filled with twists and turns, hills and valleys, and experiences we did not bargain for.

This was the experience of the small remnant of Israel that had returned to Jerusalem. Originally they had returned with great joy to rebuild the city and most of all the Temple – the center of worship that was destroyed during the Babylonian invasion. However, as the years passed the work became stalled. They faced opposition from without and doubts and insecurities from within. The prophet Zechariah is sent to speak to them and help them return to their calling. Yet, as they looked upon the rubble that once was Solomon’s Temple they all wondered…

How will we make it?

In our life, we all have something that the Temple represents. It may be God’s call upon our life, an unfinished dream, or the answer to a long-awaited prayer. We find ourselves trudging through life without a sense of joy or purpose. We have experienced disappointment and are discouraged. The mountain before us seems impassable. We know God is able but we still wonder…

How will I make it?

Zechariah speaks into the governor, Zerubbabel’s life, and into the hearts and lives of the entire remnant in Jerusalem. They had given up on the work of rebuilding the Temple. They had lost heart and lacked the strength to resume building. Yet, Zechariah lifts their eyes toward the heavens and reminds them of this truth.

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.”

We are not overcomers in life because we are strong or powerful. We overcome the adversity we face in life by grace through faith. It is the Spirit of God who empowers us to fulfill the will of God in our life. The mountain that seems impassable is moved by God’s grace as we place our trust in Him. In fact, the only lasting work we can ever participate in is the work of the Spirit of God.

We don’t lead someone to Christ by our power or might. We don’t raise a godly family by our power or might. We don’t impact our culture by our power or might. We don’t build the church by our power or might.

It is by the Spirit – says the Lord of Hosts!

What is impossible for us is always possible for God. The mountain of rubble that stood between the remnant of Israel in Jerusalem became the building material for the restored Temple in the power of the Holy Spirit. As they humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God, He gave them more grace. And, so Zechariah prophesied over Zerubbabel and the remnant of Israel,

“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ‘ ” Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it.”

The good work that God has begun in our lives – He will finish through the power of His great grace. He comes to us in our point of need and He speaks – “Grace, grace!” We are lifted up from our inadequacy and weakness and are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. What we could not do we find God doing through us.

Just as Peter denied Christ and then after being filled with the Holy Spirit bore witness to over 3000 Jews who believed, so Zerubbabel, who had quit his work, was empowered by the Holy Spirit to complete the work that was set before him. God gives more grace to those who call upon Him in their time of trouble.

One final word from this passage. There were many who probably stood by and criticized Zerubbabel as he led the people to resume their work. As they attacked that ominous pile of rubble it might have almost seemed comical to some. I can hear doubters say – “They’ll never finish! They aren’t even making a dent in that pile!” Yet, the Holy Spirit comes along with His gentle encouragement.

“For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

The seven who rejoice represent the fullness of the Holy Spirit (see Revelation 4:5). Every work that one begins always starts with small things. Every building begins with a foundation. Every journey begins with the first step. Every victory begins with winning the first battle. We are never to despise the day of small things because the fullness of the power of God, the power of the Holy Spirit is watching over us and empowering us to fulfill God’s call.

Paul reminds the Galatians that the only thing we have to do in order to experience victory is to keep trusting God and not lose heart. Focusing on the mountain before us causes us to lose heart. Focusing on the power of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives causes us to persevere and reap the harvest that God has destined for our lives.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9)

So, what are you facing today? What prayer do you need answered? What vision do you need to be fulfilled? God is speaking over you and I with these words – “Grace, grace!” It is not by power or by might – but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Whatever you do, don’t lose heart. Call upon Him in your time of trouble. Humble yourself under His mighty hand. You will find more grace and the strength you need to carry on until you experience the breakthrough and victory He has called you to.

How will I make it?

I will make it by the grace of God in the power of the Holy Spirit!

In Jesus’ Name!