Not by might, but by my Spirit
The word to Zerubbabel
To Zerubbabel, facing the daunting task of rebuilding the temple with meager resources, God sent a word that reframed the whole enterprise: not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. The work would be accomplished not by human strength, armies, or resources, but by God's Spirit. The decisive factor was not what Zerubbabel could muster but what God would supply.
This is the great correction to a leadership built on might and power — on resources, talent, force, and leverage. God does not deny that these have their place, but he names the true decisive factor: my Spirit. The leader who relies on might and power alone is depending on the wrong thing; the work that lasts is accomplished by God's Spirit, often through means that look too small. Zerubbabel's mountain would become a plain, not by his power but by God's Spirit.
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
— David, on where to trust — Psalm 20:7 (WEB)
The decisive factor in lasting work is not human might and power but God’s Spirit. He often accomplishes it through means that look too small.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Armies.”
God reframed Zerubbabel’s task around the Spirit, not resources. A leader formed here depends on God’s Spirit rather than might, power, and leverage alone. The inner work is trusting the unseen factor over the visible ones.
Depend on God’s Spirit for what might and power cannot accomplish. Use your resources and talent, but recognize they are not the decisive factor. Trust God to work, often through means that look too small.
Leaders rely on might, power, and resources as the decisive factors. The blind spot is depending on the wrong thing while neglecting the Spirit who actually accomplishes the work.
Identify where you are relying on might and power. This week, depend deliberately on God’s Spirit for what your resources cannot do.
This is the great correction to a leadership built on might and power — resources, talent, force, leverage. God names the true decisive factor: not these, but my Spirit.
Where are you relying on might and power to accomplish what only God's Spirit can?