Zechariah 4:6-14: a reflection

6Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, “This is the LORD’s word to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD of Armies. 7Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace, to it!’” 8Moreover the LORD’s word came to me, saying, 9“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and you will know that the LORD of Armies has sent me to you. 10Indeed, who despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These are the LORD’s eyes, which run back and forth through the whole earth.” 11Then I asked him, “What are these two olive trees on the right side of the lamp stand and on the left side of it?” 12I asked him the second time, “What are these two olive branches, which are beside the two golden spouts that pour the golden oil out of themselves?” 13He answered me, “Don’t you know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

As Zerubbabel faces the daunting task of rebuilding the temple, God gives him a word that names how the work will be accomplished: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD. The great mountain of obstacles before him would become a plain, not by human strength, but by God's Spirit. And God adds an encouragement about small beginnings: Who despises the day of small things? The work, begun small, would be finished by God's Spirit.

Notice how God says the work will be done: not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit. The temple would be rebuilt, the obstacles overcome, not by human strength or resources, which were small and inadequate, but by God's Spirit. The accomplishing of God's work depends not on our strength, but on his Spirit; where human strength is inadequate, God's Spirit accomplishes the work. And the small beginnings are not to be despised; what begins small, God's Spirit will bring to completion.

That truth is a great encouragement for God's work, which so often seems beyond our strength. We can feel that God's work depends on our strength and resources, and be daunted when these seem inadequate to the great task. But God says his work is done not by our might or power, but by his Spirit; where our strength is inadequate, his Spirit accomplishes the work. Do not rely on your own strength and resources for God's work, or be daunted when they seem inadequate; God's work is done by his Spirit, not by human might. And do not despise small beginnings, thinking a work too small to matter; what begins small, God's Spirit can bring to completion, as he would finish the temple begun in weakness. Rely not on your might, but on God's Spirit, for the work he gives you; where your strength is inadequate, his Spirit accomplishes it, turning mountains of obstacles into plains, and bringing to completion what begins small. Not by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit, is God's work done; rely on his Spirit, and do not despise the day of small things.

Lord, as Zerubbabel faced the daunting task of rebuilding the temple, you gave him a word: not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD; the great mountain of obstacles would become a plain, not by human strength, but by your Spirit; and you added, who despises the day of small things? Show me how you say the work will be done: not by might, nor by power, but by your Spirit. The temple would be rebuilt, the obstacles overcome, not by human strength or resources, which were inadequate, but by your Spirit. The accomplishing of your work depends not on my strength, but on your Spirit. Give me that great encouragement for your work, which so often seems beyond my strength. I can feel that your work depends on my strength and resources, and be daunted when these seem inadequate to the great task. But you say your work is done not by my might or power, but by your Spirit; where my strength is inadequate, your Spirit accomplishes the work. Keep me from relying on my own strength and resources for your work, or being daunted when they seem inadequate; your work is done by your Spirit. And keep me from despising small beginnings, thinking a work too small to matter; what begins small, your Spirit can bring to completion. Help me rely not on my might, but on your Spirit, Lord, for the work you give me; not by might, nor by power, but by your Spirit, is your work done.