So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might or by power, but my spirit,” says the Lord Almighty” - Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)
Much as upsetting the corona virus lockdown has been, if anything it has needfully humbled us all. Where one thought he could do everything by himself suddenly entire nations have been shut down.
All of a sudden you can’t go anywhere but stay put at home. All the work at office is now on hold. All the travel plans skirted. Yes of course many have worried if they will ever get anything done that matters to them.
A particular problem here is the tendency to believe that whatever we do here on earth is because of our power. Indeed for the workaholic nothing could be as bad as the shut down. Where he was the one in the front wheel, used to push his way to the end, now, suddenly he can no longer call the shots.
The word of God as we see in today’s verse encourages us that “not by might but by sprit” can we claim anything of worth here on earth. Sometimes we worry too much for nothing that it all depends on our singular effort. We worry that if we are not there how will things ever move. If we don’t put in so much hours how will anything ever be done, we fear.
But God is here humbling us that the world is His and fully able to carry on regardless of our plans and efforts. Let’s us ever depend on Him!
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray in the mighty name of Jesus ever to rely on your strength and not my power.
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
