“I really enjoyed the hymn you played during the offering today. ‘Blessed Assurance’ was one of my mother’s favorite hymns.”

When I was younger, I used to turn aside their praises. More than anyone, I was aware of how God had used me above and beyond my natural abilities. Now I see that I came across as ungrateful for God’s goodness and faithfulness in using my talents.

More recently, as my health has declined, I’m prone to think, “If I get this much done in spite of my health, how much more could I do if I just felt better?”

When I’m tempted to think that way, God reminds me of what he said through Zechariah in the above verse. It wasn’t about my strength or power, but his help. As Paul later told the Corinthians, “My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:8). The beautiful, simple truth is that the weaker I am, the more possible it becomes for God’s power to work through me.

It wasn’t about Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:1-3), and how weak (or powerful) he felt as he tried to rebuild Jerusalem’s temple. It wasn’t about Paul, and whatever weakness he had. It’s not about my physical inabilities. It’s not about your problem — fill in the blank. It never has been.

The answer always has been, and always will be — God’s Spirit indwelling us and working in us. With his help, we build the Kingdom, one person at a time.

Dear Lord, how I thank for the precious promise of this verse. It’s about the Holy Spirit, and not about my strength or power. Help me to live in that promise. Amen.

Go Deeper — If someone pays you a compliment today, will you point them to the Source of your talent, power or strength? If you struggle with what you can do for God, seek out one of our confidential, online mentors.

Read Further — Want to have more power for living a dynamic Christian life? This article gives some great tips.



Tags: Life in the Spirit Zechariah 4
Photo Credit: Helena Lopes