Two-minute read.
Zerubbabel had a job to do: rebuild the temple after exile. Feeling overwhelmed, the descendant of King David, listed in Christ’s genealogy in Matthew, led the first group of Israelites out of Babylonian captivity back to Jerusalem. The leader faced political, financial, and spiritual hurdles to rebuild the temple. As Zerubbabel leans into the Lord, he becomes a picture of a leader under pressure, faithfulness in unfinished seasons, and God fulfilling promises, even when things look small and unimpressive.
God tells Zerubbabel that He will finish the temple, “not by might.” Which means the Governor doesn’t have the tools necessary to do the job. No matter how much he strives and tries to white-knuckle his way through, Zerubbabel can’t do it alone. He must rely on the Lord. “But by My Spirit,” the Lord will help the leader complete his task, not with human fuel, but divine empowerment, quiet strength and God-breathed momentum. Whatever obstacles Zerubbabel faces, the Almighty will destroy, flattening the mountains; the Lord moves the immovable and makes a way.
Facing insurmountable problems, we can anchor ourselves to this verse. God never intended for us to face our challenges alone; He wants to help us. When we surrender our mountains to the Lord, He flattens them for us. Maybe not instantly, but the Creator will show us the way. Sometimes God gives us the strength to climb the mountain; other times, He flattens them so we can walk right through. But we will never do it on our own power, but His. Like the Lord said to Zerubbabel, “not by might, but by My Spirit.” Find comfort that the Savior fights for you, equipping you to do all He has called you to do. Where God guides, He always provides.
When the Lord led us to move last year, we prayed for His guidance, not wanting to go where He didn’t want us to go. As Ron and I prayed for the Lord to open or close the doors, we waited for His answer. And one by one, the doors opened, not by our might, but by His. Following God through the open doors gave us boldness, and we walked confidently knowing our heavenly Father led the way. The Creator provided all our needs, and with His leadership, the move almost seemed effortless.
Don’t try to do your divine task with human strength. Rely on the Savior for His Spirit to empower you. As you follow Jesus, let Him open the doors He wants you to go through, and trust His provision along the way. Not by our might, but by His Spirit we’ll accomplish our purpose in this life, and spend eternity basking in His glory.
Journal Questions:
Do you rely on your strength or God’s?
What mountain must become a plain?
Describe a time God did the heavy lifting for you.
Application:
Surrender one situation you’ve been trying to control.
