Not by Might Nor by Power but by My Spirit
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6, KJV)
Do you need a word from God today? Try this: Replace “Zerubbabel” with your name in Zechariah 4:6. This powerful truth is timeless. Just as it applied to Zerubbabel, it applies to us today: our success does not come from human strength or power but by God’s Spirit. Let’s explore what this means for our lives.
When the Jews returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, they faced enormous challenges. The work seemed impossible, and their enemies were many. In the midst of this, God spoke through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah. The message was clear: the temple would not be rebuilt by human might or power, but by God’s Spirit.
Let’s start with a subtle point: the phrase “not by might nor by power.” What is not by might nor power? It refers to the task of rebuilding the Temple, a symbol of Christ building His Church. Today, we are the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16), and Jesus is building His Church (Matthew 16:18). This scripture has both historical and present-day significance.
The Lord told Zerubbabel that the Temple would not be rebuilt by human might or power. Zerrubabbel needed manpower, resources, and protection for such a project. However, God told Zerubbabel that the task would not be completed by typical human means. “Not by might” (Hebrew: ḥayil) means military strength or human effort, like the workforce Solomon used for the first temple (1 Kings 5:13–18). “Nor by power” (Hebrew: koaḥ) refers to the strength of laborers, as in Nehemiah 4:10.
Instead of human strength or power, the Lord declared the Temple would be rebuilt by His Spirit. Does this mean human effort, resources, and planning were unnecessary? Did the Holy Spirit physically rebuild the Temple? No, the Temple was rebuilt by people using human effort, power, and resources. So, what is the meaning of this statement?
At least three crucial truths are here. First, God was concerned about trust. Zerubbabel needed manpower and resources, but God wanted his trust in Him, not human might or power. The work’s success did not depend on natural resources but on God working through them. Second, the Spirit of God built the Temple, not directly or through angels, but by working through human effort, skills, and resources—human might and power!
Third, this verse contrasts “the arm of the flesh” (human strength) with the power of God.
Here’s the application: You might think, “I’m not rebuilding the Temple like Zerubbabel, so this doesn’t apply to me.” Not so. The key message is this: daily Christian life and all ministry are not by human might or power but by the Spirit of God.
Living by the flesh is not limited to sinful behaviors; it also includes relying on our human senses, power, or abilities, rather than on the Holy Spirit.
So, whether it’s living your daily Christian life, relating to others, or serving in ministry, you need to depend on God’s Spirit, not on your talents, resources, or skills—though God will certainly use them!
Meditate
Read Zechariah 4:6 and replace Zerubbabel’s name with your own. Then, add anything you’re struggling with at the beginning, such as “Living in love is not by might, nor by power…”. Repeat this verse to yourself.
Apply the Word
What are you trusting in for your daily Christian life? Your ability to make good decisions? Following God’s commandments? Or in your ministry work? Your bank account? People you know? Your speaking ability, gifts, or talents? God says, do not trust in the arm of the flesh, but in the power of the Spirit!
Pray
Ask the Father to help you depend completely on Him and not rely on the arm of the flesh.
Recommended
- I will Build My Church
- Is it the Holy Spirit or the Flesh?
- The Holy Spirit works in the flesh!
- How the Holy Spirit Powers the Christian Life
- The Demonstration of the Power and Spirit
- View All Deshen Daily Devotionals
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