THE SPIRIT OF POWER
“… ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 4:6b (NIV)
“…but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.”
2 Chronicles 32:8 (NIV)
If you are a follower of Christ, the Spirit of God lives in you. This changes everything. No longer do you need to live in your own strength or be on your own to figure things out. You’ve been given a purpose in life, but it’s not yours to carry out on your own. God’s Spirit is personal and powerful.
Zechariah lived in a time of rebuilding and uncertainty. The temple lay in ruins, the people were weary, and the task seemed impossible. Yet God called Zechariah to speak with boldness. A boldness he could not stir up on his own. Through visions and messages, he reminded the leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, that the work would succeed not by might nor by power, but by God’s Spirit.
Here are a few ways the Holy Spirit seeks to empower you today:
- Assurance of Salvation (Romans 8:16) – to give you a deep confidence of God’s permanent home in you.
- Boldness and Courage (2 Timothy 1:7) – enabling you to stand strong no matter what challenges you face.
- Holiness and Victory Over Sin (Galatians 5:16) – transforming you from the inside out.
- Wisdom and Discernment (Isaiah 11:2) – as you discover God’s direction every step of the way.
- Unity in Love (Ephesians 4:3) – bringing healing and wholeness to even the most broken relationships.
Many of us try to live the Christian life relying on our own strength – our willpower, good intentions or discipline. But the Bible reminds us that God calls us to a higher way: living in His power, not our own.
Today, let’s remember that the same Spirit who created the world and everything in it is the same Spirit who lives in us. Every moment of every day. The strength you long for is more available than you think.
APPLICATION: In what area of your life are you trying to rely on your own strength instead of God’s Spirit? Stop and ask God to work in you and through you in this area of your life.
PRAYER: Lord, I give up my need for control, so I might walk in the power of Your Spirit. I release all my fears and insecurities and ask You to help me know and experience and live in the power of Your Spirit. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?