The Power of God's Spirit

When we try to do something in our own power, we are like empty oil lamps. We might look nice, and we may seem like we can bring light, but there is no power there to generate light. Therefore, we are hopeless to bring light, unless someone supplies the oil. I believe that is what the Lord was trying to get across to Zerubbabel by giving Zechariah the vision of the lampstand with seven lamps on it and the two olive trees beside it on the left and right. Since oil represented the Holy Spirit, and olive trees gave oil for burning and cooking, God was showing the prophet Zechariah a profound truth to deliver to the leader of God's people in Jerusalem. (Zechariah 4:6) The message was that it was not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord. God did not want Zechariah to be an empty oil lamp, and He does not want us, as believers, to be that either.

God gives the Holy Spirit to every Christian when we get saved. He is God, and He is given to us, so we have the direction of God and the power of God in our life to do God's will. If we try to act without the Spirit, our might and power are never enough to fully accomplish His purpose. In fact, we fail miserably on our own. We might look nice and powerful, but we are empty without God's power. This is why so many Christians get discouraged and depressed. They are trying to live in their own power, to solve problems in their own intellect, and to understand the will of God in their own understanding. That never works. We must empty ourselves of the fleshly ways of doing things, and let the Spirit fill us. Then, we can burn brightly for the Lord. We can have God's power to accomplish great things, whereas in the flesh, we just mess things up badly. Let's learn this lesson sent to Zerubbabel and be filled with God's Spirit every minute of every day.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Zechariah 5-8.