Renewed Strength

Daily Reading: Zechariah 3-4

Scripture Focus: The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. (Zechariah 4.9)

Devotional Thought: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4.6). Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, needed to hear this, for he had encountered problems in completing the temple project. God reassured him that what he had started he would finish in the strength of the Spirit!

There are many obstacles to finishing:

• Hesitation. It would have been easy for Zerubbabel to hesitate, thinking, “Did I really hear from God?” If that hesitation had grown, it could have caused a complete stop to the work of rebuilding the house of God. As we move forward, we can find assurance in the Word of God and the inner Voice of the Spirit.

• Opposition. Satan does not oppose the man or woman of God who is doing nothing, but the person who seeks to do God’s work will soon enough find opposition. Smooth sailing may not mean the favor of God. When you face opposition, do not fret. If God has called you, keep at it!

• Distraction. As governor of Judah, Zerubbabel had more than enough to do. He had to stay focused, or days and weeks and months would pass without progress. Every day in our lives, there are hundreds of things to distract us from what we know God has called us to do. With God’s help – his indwelling, reminding, guiding Spirit – we can stay focused.

• Exhaustion. Constantly pushing against these obstacles, Zerubbabel expended great energy. Leaders get tired. At times like that, we need to depend upon two things: those whom God has given us and the renewing strength of God.

We may grow weary and even stumble, but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40.30-31)!

Prayer: Teach me, O Lord, to have the assurance of Philippians 1.6: "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Amen!

Psalm of the Day: 153 Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise! 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. 156 Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules. 157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies. 158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands. 159 Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. 160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (Psalms 119:153-160)