Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Zechariah 4:6
How fortunate for us that we have a reminder today through Zechariah that we, mankind, were never designed to do anything apart from our Lord. The Lord, speaking through his prophet, reminds Israel and all of us that because of our relationship with him, great things can be accomplished because he is working through and in us.
Remember, Israel was being held in exile in Babylon. The people of Israel had to rely on their faith in God and that he would deliver them from their captors and restore the nation. The people of God had to trust and recall the faithfulness of God throughout their history. When it came to the specifics of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel was just like us—a regular person—challenged not to fight a normal battle but to trust in the Lord.
I don’t know what battle you might be going through on this day or in this season, but maybe today’s reading is a reminder to stop leaning on your own strength and understanding and to seek the Lord. The Lord might encourage you to find community or give you a new idea, or he might take the fight on himself and deliver you through this battle by carrying you.
Remember you are not fighting these battles alone. God is with you. Trust and rely on God’s word. Be steadfast. God loves you.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the reminders of your love and steadfastness to your people. Help us in remembering how you deliver your people from forces not seen or known. Give us hope, as you revealed through Zechariah, that we can come with our questions and seek your understanding and ways. We pray in this Advent season the truth and light of Christ might reveal your hope in our world and our struggles. We love you, Lord! Amen.