A SENSE OF RELIANCE ON THE SPIRIT OF GOD

In our walk with God, we give credit and honour to the Spirit of God who is wiser than men, because His power is what enables us to achieve any task in our personal life, empowers us to influence the lives of others and effect positive change in the course of events. He is the power that works in us to bring God's plans and purposes to pass on earth.

Reference: Zechariah 4:6 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) '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."

When Zerubbabel was called to rebuild the temple, a messenger Angel came and informed him of what the Lord said, 'This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit'. The Angel went ahead in the next verse to assure him that nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in his way; instead it would become a level plain before him! The task was a huge undertaking for Zerubbabel. So He needed the word of the Lord to strengthen him for the successful completion.

The Angel didn't just give him the word from the Lord, he showed him in a vision that the Spirit of God was going to stand by him. He showed him a lampstand which symbolises Israel as a light to the nations. And the seven lamps which reflect the seven Spirits of God. They represent the seven eyes of God that oversees the world and its inhabitants (see also Isaiah 11:2-5 NIV), and His pleasure in the construction of the temple by His Spirit. This vision inspired Zerubbabel and bolstered his courage for the task.

Where do you get your inspiration and assurance from? What gives you courage? What strengthens you? Who do you depend on? Whether it has to do with your family, career, assignment, goals, dreams, vision, and project, you must never go about it alone or try to accomplish them by might or power. Might and power express human strength of every description, whether physical, mental, or artificial intelligence. Human intellect or skills are not in any way sufficient to accomplish the work of God effectively; we must never rely on them alone. Psalm 33:16 (BSB) reads, 'No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.'

We must engage the Holy Spirit in all we do because it is the power effluence from the Spirit of God on any individual that energizes and equips him for his tasks. Remember, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual, through the Spirit, and they are mighty in pulling down strong holds, and levelling mountains (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). The Christian weapon is not of the flesh but of the Spirit. So Galatians 5:16 (NIV) tells us, 'walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh and also Ephesians 5:18, 'Do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit' (NET Bible).

The guidance and company of the Holy Spirit is very much important in our day to day tasks and in our everyday life. We can't afford to ignore Him because we can only accomplish God's will through His enablement. Therefore, we must totally depend on Him every single day by fellowshipping with Him and engaging His ability to lead us aright, teach us, and equip us, in order to achieve our goals, fulfil God's will for our lives and spread the gospel. Therefore, consciously cultivate a sense of reliance on the Spirit of God in all you do.

Scripture Reading- John 14:26; Acts 4:31; Romans 8:5-6,14; 1 Corinthians 12:7; Galatians 3:3.

Guided Prayer: Thank you Father for the help and ministry of your Spirit available to me in Christ. It is not that I'm competent in myself to accomplish anything, but my competence for any task in life comes from your Spirit. Therefore, I'm forever grateful for the transformation, progress and accomplishment in my life as I experience the power, passion and influence of the Spirit in all I do. By yielding daily to the Holy Spirit, I stay in touch with the miraculous and become more effective in the things of the Spirit, in Jesus' Name Amen!