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. Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)
Easier said than done? Maybe not. Moving in the Spirit of God is supposed to be easy and simple, if we recognize that God's grace is enough.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
We have to stop feeling that we have to do things our way and in our strength, but instead we should let God take over. It can be quite difficult backing off of situations that we want to get worked out quickly. Yet, our quick fixes and trying to work things out in our own strength usually leaves us in a quagmire. If only we would rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7 (NASB)
Where does our hope come from? If it comes from anything or anyone besides God, then we will always be in a quandary.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. Psalms 62:5 (NIV)
Our hope should be in God. We should find rest in Him, as we let go of all we have - everything of our own making. God wants to build us up in Him, but first we have to break away from all we have built without Him. We must give up everything.
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 (NIV)
We like to think of this verse as referring more to material possessions, but it is so much more than that. It is our pride, our self-pity, even our desires. Yes, I know - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV) But if we examine this verse closely, we will discover that the word "delight" means "pliable". We can only be pliable in God's hands if we rest in Him. If we don't rest, we will break and then we cannot be molded by Him into an image which will reflect His heart and His desires.
So, it is time to trust God by placing ourselves in His hands and hoping in Him alone. And, when we do this and back off from our own strength and plans, then we will recognize His grace is more than enough.
But
