Not by Might, but by My Spirit
“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"’"
— Zechariah 4:6-7
The Christian life is not one of human effort, striving, or personal strength. It is a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, where grace accomplishes what human effort never could. In Zechariah’s time, Zerubbabel faced what seemed like an immovable mountain—overwhelming obstacles to rebuilding the temple. Yet, God declared that these obstacles would be leveled, not by human strength, but by His Spirit. And when the work was completed, it would not be with praise for human determination, but with the exclamation: Grace, grace to it!
This same truth applies to us. The challenges before us—whether they be personal struggles, spiritual battles, or daunting callings—are not overcome by sheer willpower or force. As believers, we do not sustain ourselves through discipline alone. Instead, the Spirit of God supplies what we need, and His grace carries the work to completion.
The early church displayed this reality. They did not move forward in their own strength, but in the power of the Spirit. They spoke boldly, testified powerfully, and persevered joyfully, because “great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). The Spirit worked, and the evidence of His work was grace—grace that emboldened, empowered, and enabled them to do what was humanly impossible.
Imagine a windmill standing motionless in a field. No matter how well it is designed, it remains lifeless unless the wind moves through it. But when the wind blows, the blades turn, and power is generated. The windmill does not strive; it simply responds to the wind. Likewise, we are designed to live in the movement of the Holy Spirit. Our calling is not to push forward in exhaustion, but to yield and let the wind of God's Spirit move us.
Reflection
Where in your life are you relying on your own might or power rather than yielding to the Spirit?
What obstacles seem like mountains before you, and how can you rest in the truth that they will be leveled by His Spirit?
Are you willing to exchange self-effort for the all-sufficient grace of God?
Prayer
Father, we rejoice in the sufficiency of Your Spirit. You have already given us everything we need for life and godliness, and we trust in Your grace to carry us through. We lay down self-effort and embrace the reality that it is not by might, nor by power, but by Your Spirit. May every mountain before us be leveled as we walk in the fullness of Your provision. And when we see Your work accomplished in us and through us, let our cry always be, Grace, grace to it! Amen.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Devotional Source: Day by Day by Grace