NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER…!

⁶ Then he 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. ⁷ Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ⁹ “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.¹⁰ For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

Zech. 4,6-10

The context for these words is the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem by the returning exiles from Babylon, under the leadership of Zerubbabel governor of Judah. The foundation was laid (approx. 536/5 BC). Then, due to strong opposition to the project from the local inhabitants of Judah to Zerubbabel and the exiles, work ceased. It was not taken up again until the reign of Darius approximately 15 years later (520 BC). See Ezra chapters 3-4.

It was indeed a time of discouragement and disappointment. But through the support of the prophets Zechariah and Haggai, the temple was completed in 516 BC.

I BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART THAT GOD IS GOOD!

AND THAT THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS REVEALED IN HIS ACTS OF KINDNESS AND GOODNESS AND MERCY AND GRACE WHICH HE VISITS UPON US, IN THE FACE OF SOMETIMES FIERCE OPPOSITION!😊

WHAT GREAT MOUNTAIN IS THERE IN YOUR LIFE OR MINE THAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD BEING REVEALED?

BEFORE YOU AND I, IT SHALL BECOME A PLAIN!😊

BUT IT WILL NOT BE BY YOUR MIGHT OR MINE! AND NOT BY OUR POWER!

IT WILL BE BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD!❤️

So let our faith not be in ourselves,

BUT IN HIM WHO HAS POWER TO SUBJECT ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF! Phil 3,21

And let us not despise the day of small beginnings,

LEST WE LOSE HEART ALONG THE WAY!❤️

😊👌👍