The prophet Zechariah brought his messages to the people of Jerusalem at the same time as Haggai. It is evident that God used both men to galvanize and encourage the leaders and the people of Israel to rebuild the temple. At the same time they were being called to right heart attitudes as they were called to right priorities and action.
Zechariah encourages the people who had returned to the Jerusalem that had been destroyed. At times must have felt overwhelmed even as they worked to rebuild the Temple. He tells them things that would are not normally emphasized in 21st century management books or self help books. Through this prophet, God affirms that human power is not of great importance nor is size of great importance.
I confess that often I have been, and still am impressed with both. The size of companies, buildings, churches, etc. do impress me. I cannot help but be impressed with the amount of power in a machine (say a 747 vs. a single engine 2 seat plane) or in a person's position (say a president vs. a secretary).
But God wants me, us, the people of Israel in Zechariah's day, to be very clear. When it comes to what God is doing and will do, power and size are not significant.
The Bible places great emphasis on humility. Why? Because proud people are independent people who either ignore God or take Him for granted. Why? Because proud people can do it "my way" or "on my own" and thus do not develop a relationship with God. Why? Because " God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble"James 4:6
Size, strength, power are impressive and lead toward pride. However in things that count for eternity and in relation to God, they are meaningless. What we need is the fulness and power of His Spirit. We need to be in obedience to Him in small things or larger things. Of course God uses the large and the powerful. But it is only as He chooses to use them do they make eternal, spiritual impact.
Better little and powerless with the presence of God than all the size and power a person could possibly accumulate. I know that, but please keep reminding me Lord!
Zechariah encourages the people who had returned to the Jerusalem that had been destroyed. At times must have felt overwhelmed even as they worked to rebuild the Temple. He tells them things that would are not normally emphasized in 21st century management books or self help books. Through this prophet, God affirms that human power is not of great importance nor is size of great importance.
I confess that often I have been, and still am impressed with both. The size of companies, buildings, churches, etc. do impress me. I cannot help but be impressed with the amount of power in a machine (say a 747 vs. a single engine 2 seat plane) or in a person's position (say a president vs. a secretary).
But God wants me, us, the people of Israel in Zechariah's day, to be very clear. When it comes to what God is doing and will do, power and size are not significant.
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. 4:6
“Who dares despise the day of small things" 4:10
The Bible places great emphasis on humility. Why? Because proud people are independent people who either ignore God or take Him for granted. Why? Because proud people can do it "my way" or "on my own" and thus do not develop a relationship with God. Why? Because " God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble"James 4:6
Size, strength, power are impressive and lead toward pride. However in things that count for eternity and in relation to God, they are meaningless. What we need is the fulness and power of His Spirit. We need to be in obedience to Him in small things or larger things. Of course God uses the large and the powerful. But it is only as He chooses to use them do they make eternal, spiritual impact.
Better little and powerless with the presence of God than all the size and power a person could possibly accumulate. I know that, but please keep reminding me Lord!
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