By My Spirit

• God will open the way where there seems to be no way.

Are you so overwhelmed by the problems you faced today?

• Are you so aware of your own weakness, or lack of resources, that you think you will never make it? Do you feel like giving up? Zerubbabel felt that way too.

In 1962, Victor and Mildred Goertzel published a revealing study of 413 "famous and exceptionally gifted people" called Cradles of Eminence. They spent years attempting to understand what produced such greatness, what common thread might run through all of these outstanding people’s lives.

Surprisingly, the most outstanding fact was that virtually all of them, 392 had to overcome very difficult obstacles in order to become who they were.

It is the same with the many men and women we read in the Bible that God has called to serve Him.

• They did not give up in the midst of persecution and hardship.

• Are you one who easily gives up?

While Zerubbabel was struggling with the work, still thinking about how to put up the first brick, God was already telling him about the capstone (v.7) – the last brick.

• The seemingly impossible task will be completed.

• God sees the end from the beginning. He is going to finish the job. He assures Zerubbabel that he would finish what he started.

God knows the will He has for your life.

• No mountain can hinder His plan, but you got to have faith in Him.

• In Matt 21:21-22 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt… you can say to this mountain ’Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

• God’s plan will surely be accomplished, but man has to have faith in Him.

Zech 4:8-9 “Then the word of the LORD came to me: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.”

3. It Is God’s Power Working THROUGH You

God says it will be by His Spirit that this work will be done.

• And then He says no obstacle, no matter how big, can stop His plan.

• It will be completed surely… but THROUGH the hands of Zerubbabel.

God is calling man to participate in His work. We are called to serve Him.

• God uses the ordinary things of life. He uses the ordinary people to work out His plan.

• His will is being accomplished today THROUGH you and me, not through angels.

• God can work through the weak and insignificant, because He is not relying upon your strength or your abilities.

It is not your power that God wants, but your participation.

• Our participation in God’s work is a crucial point. We need to DO God’s work.

• God can perform miracles, but He wants Moses to lead the people out of Egypt.

• Jesus can raise Lazarus from the grave, but He wants the people to move the stone covering the tomb.

• He can feed more than 5000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fishes, but He wants someone to offer those.

So when God says, “Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit…” it does not mean we do nothing.

• In fact, it means we need to TRUST HIM and WORK.