Zechariah 4:6 · KJV

"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."

King James Version

Passage Context

⁴So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

⁵Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

⁶Then 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.

⁷Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

⁸Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

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Devotional Reflection

GratitudeHope

There are times in our spiritual lives when the problems we face are too big for us to handle on our own. Zerubbabel had to face something like this. God sent a prophet to remind him, and through him, all of us, that our biggest victories won't come from our strength and power. No, the greatest victories, the ones that bring us into God's great story of salvation, will happen when we trust that God's power is greater than our weakness and God's might is greater than our inadequacy. The real question that each of us must answer is very simple: where do we put our trust in our personal lives and in our ministry work, and what gives us confidence? Are they in our skills, knowledge, wisdom, and strength, or are they in God's?

Prayer

Please forgive me, my Father, the LORD Almighty, for believing in my own might too much. Forgive me, God, for being overwhelmed and terrified by the hurdles, challenges, and possibilities set before me. Through your great stories of fidelity and triumph in the Old Testament, please rouse me to trust that your power is at work in me and in your Church, through the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions

How do you rely on God's spirit in your challenges?

What does it mean for you to not rely on your own strength?

When have you experienced God's power in your life?

Life Application

strength

In moments of weakness, turn to prayer and seek God's guidance instead of relying solely on your abilities.

trust

Trust in God's spirit to lead you through difficult times, remembering that you are not alone.

People in This Verse

ZerubbabelOT

Zerubbabel was a governor of Judah and a key figure in the return from exile. He led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem and played a crucial role in rebuilding the temple.

First appearance: Ezra 1:11

Connection to Jesus

gospel theme

This verse emphasizes reliance on God's Spirit rather than human strength, a theme echoed in the New Testament where Jesus teaches about the importance of the Holy Spirit.

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Laugh!

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