So 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 Almighty. (NIV)

Have you ever tried to do something that was totally in your wheelhouse? It's pretty great, right? I love when God allows me to walk in my giftings; it's a joy and a delight. Then there are times when God calls us into something that might be in the realm of our giftings, but you realize quickly you're waaaay out of your depth. As challenging as these moments can be, ultimately, I've learned to be really thankful for them. Because this space is where I am forced to no longer rely on my natural talents and ability, but on the Spirit of God alone.  

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Zerubbabel found himself in a similar moment as he embarked on the weighty task of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The Lord sent the prophet Zechariah to encourage him in his work with this message: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit."  

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Out of whose strength are you operating today? Zerubbabel had every reason to feel that he was the right man for the job based on his own merits: he was of kingly descent, from the house and line of David. He held position and favor in the regime of Cyrus, king of Persia. So much so, in fact, that he was not only allowed to lead his people back to Jerusalem, but Cyrus also entrusted to Zerubbabel, who was also called "Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah" (Ezra 1:8), all the plunder that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, had taken from Israel during the conquest. Zerubbabel was a skilled businessman and project manager, we well as a man of the Scriptures and deep faith (Ezra 3). And when opposition to his assignment arose, Zerubbabel acted with firmness, faith and fidelity to the mission he was given (Ezra 4). And yet, none of this was apparently enough to sustain Zerubbabel. He needed a well far deeper than favor or natural talent.

Maybe you've been there before, when the work is long and running on your natural talents wears thin. Maybe you've felt it in a particularly grueling season of parenting, in your work, or even in a season of relational tension or hurt. When we come to the prophet Zechariah's words in today's verse, we learn that he prophesied during the early years of King Darius’ reign, around 520 BC. And yet, Cyrus began sending the exiles back to Jerusalem in 538 BC. This means that Zerubbabel and his people have been at this project for 18 years when he receives this encouragement from the Lord!  

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How long would it have taken you to give up...turn back...doubt? I'm guessing I would've caved a lot sooner. But what Scripture makes clear is that the Lord knows exactly when we need his steady hand on us, reminding us of where our strength comes from. The prophet Haggai wrote at the same time Zechariah did, and he too speaks encouraging words from the Lord for Zerubbabel: "'But now be strong, Zerubbabel,' declares the Lord...'and work. For I am with you...And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear'" (Haggai 2:4-5).  

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Do you need the Lord to speak those words over you today, too? Friend, when the wait is long and the work is weighty, look for the encouragement and sustainment of the Lord Almighty. He will remind you that his Spirit does remain among you, even as you feel tired and alone. He will remind you that you do this work not by your own power or might, but by the strength of his Spirit.  

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Of course, it's one thing to know that. It's another to see God come through for you in this way - that's where our faith can grow! In this passage, the Lord uses a powerful image to illustrate that Zerubbabel truly could depend on the Spirit in this work, not his own strength. See, in the temple, part of the priests' job was to constantly refill the lampstands with oil to ensure the flames never went out, signifying the presence of God. In Zechariah's vision, however, there are two olive trees on either side of the lampstand, directly pouring never-ending oil into the lamps (Zech. 4:2-3). God's like, the "supply" of my Spirit is never determined by your efforts. The presence, power, and sufficiency of my Spirit over your life is a promise you can count on.  

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"What are you, mighty mountain?" God asks, like he's giving his favorite kiddo a pep talk, "Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground" (Zech. 4:7). Friend, whatever assignment seems daunting in your life, know that the presence of God's Spirit in you is both promised and sufficient for this work. Whatever mountain you are facing, by his Spirit, you can walk on level ground today.

God, thank you for the promise and provision of your Spirit! Help me to trust you today, relying completely on your strength and not my own to do the work you've given me to do, whatever that may be. In Jesus' name, amen.