By My Spirit

Read Zech 4 6-10

This is a wonderfully helpful passage for those involved in ordinary, ongoing ministry.

The background is that God’s people had returned from exile. They were trying to rebuild the temple. The work had stalled. There had been opposition, discouragement, weakness, and no doubt the feeling that progress was painfully slow.

And into that situation, God speaks this word to Zerubbabel, the leader:

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.

That is always a needed reminder for God’s people.

Because whenever we serve, we are tempted to trust in might or power.

We think ministry will advance by stronger personalities, better plans, more energy, more confidence, sharper leadership, or ideal circumstances.

But God says His true work is accomplished by His Spirit.

The rebuilding of His people then. The building of His church now. The changing of hearts. The strengthening of believers. The saving of the lost. The sustaining of weary saints.

None of it finally comes by human strength.

And that should humble us—but it should also greatly encourage us.

Because it means the future of ministry does not rest on how impressive we are.

In fact verse 10 says:

Zechariah 4:10 NIVUK

‘Who dares despise the day of small things,’

We can despise ordinary ministry that we see week in week out in our homes:

A a small group in a living room. An imperfect discussion. A faltering prayer time. A quiet conversation after group. Faithfully opening the Bible week after week.

These things can seem small.

But God does not despise small things when they are means by which He works.

So as we pray tonight, let’s pray with confidence—not in ourselves, but in the Lord who works by His Spirit.

Let’s pray in three areas:

1. Pray for our Home Groups

That God would build people through His Word, deepen fellowship, and use even seemingly small gatherings for eternal fruit.

2. Pray for our Leaders

That He would strengthen the weary, give wisdom, joy, perseverance, and keep us relying on His Spirit rather than ourselves.

3. Pray for our Church

That the Lord would continue building His people, saving the lost, and doing more than we can presently see.

Zech intro

Bible Zechariah is a book written around 520BC, to God’s people after they returned from exile. They were back in the land, but life was hard, progress was slow, and they were tempted to discouragement. The temple lay unfinished, the people were weak, and the great promises of restoration may have seemed far away.

Into that situation, God speaks through Zechariah to strengthen weary people, call them back to faithfulness, and lift their eyes to His greater purposes.

The book combines:

Calls to repent and return to the Lord

Encouragement to continue the work God has given them

Visions showing that God is sovereignly at work behind the scenes

Great promises of the coming King and future glory

So Zechariah is a book for people who feel ministry is hard, progress is slow, and the results seem small.

Its message is: The Lord has not forgotten His people. Keep trusting Him. Keep serving Him. His purposes will stand.