By My Spirit (He Will…)

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
says the Lord of hosts” – Zec 4:6

“No por el poder ni por la fuerza, sino por Mi Espíritu”,
dice el Señor de los ejércitos. – Zac 4:6

When Zerubbabel[1] was sent back from Babylon to oversee[2] the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem,[3] he was told that the work would be accomplished “not by [Zerubbabel’s] might or power, but by the Spirit” (and will) of God (see Zec 4:6).[4] I think we often fail to understand just how much our heavenly Father does for us, in places and times unknown to us even. Let’s look at some verses:[5]

He makes me lie down in green pastures. – Psa 23:2
He leads me beside quiet waters. – Psa 23:2
He restores my soul. – Psa 23:3
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. – Psa 23:3
He delivers you from the snare of the trapper[6] and deadly pestilence. – Psa 91:3
He will cover you with His pinions and wings so you may seek refuge. – Psa 91:4
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. – Psa 91:4
He will give His angels charge concerning you. – Psa 91:11
He will instruct us.– Psa 25:12
He leads the humble in justice. – Psa 25:9
He teaches the humble His way. – Psa 25:9
He will pluck my feet out of the net. – Psa 25:15
He will conceal me in His tabernacle. – Psa 27:5
He will hide me.– Psa 27:5
He will lift me up on a rock. – Psa 27:5
He will answer him from His holy heaven. – Psa 20:6
He will give you the desires of your heart. – Psa 37:4
He will guide us until death. – Psa 48:14
He will redeem my soul in peace. – Psa 55:18
He will sustain you.– Psa 55:22
He will bless those who fear the Lord. – Psa 115:13
He will not allow your foot to slip. – Psa 130:8
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him. – Psa 145:19
He will hear their cry and will save them. – Psa 145:19
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. – Psa 149:4
He will give you another Helper. – Joh 14:16
He will give it to you. – Joh 16:23
He will deliver us. – 2Co 1:10
He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. – 2Th 3:3
He will exalt you.[7] – Jas 4:10
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. – Rev 21:4

And most importantly:

He will raise you up on the last day. – Joh 6:44, 54

I hope you are starting to see a pattern: “He leads,” “He restores,” “He guides,” “He will” … and so on. Note also that many of the things He does are not to glorify us, but to glorify His great and Holy name (Psa 23:3)

In fact, it’s truly amazing how much the Lord does for His children, who are all those who “call on the name of the Lord” (see Act 2:21; 22:16; Rom 10:13; 1Co 1:2; cf. Gen 4:26; Isa 12:4; Psa 91:14–15; 105:1; 116:4, 13, 17) “in spirit and truth” (Joh 4:23–24; cf. Psa 145:18; Jud 3; Luk 18:8; Col 1:23), and who “walk by faith, not by sight” (2Co 5:7), “walk [live] by the Spirit” (see Gal 5:16, 25),[8] and live their lives in “obedience” (see Joh 3:36; Act 5:29, 32; 6:7; Rom 1:5; 15:18; 16:26; Heb 5:9; 1Pe 1:2, 22; cf. Mat 7:21–27; 12:50; 28:20; Mar 3:35; Luk 6:46–49; Act 7:39; Joh 8:31, 51; 14:23–24; Rom 2:13; 5:19; 6:16; 2Co 9:13; 10:5–6; 2Th 1:8; Heb 4:11; 11:8; Jas 1:22; 1Pe 1:14; 4:17; 1Jn 2:17; Pro 7:1–2; Jos 24:15) to Him.[9]

It’s very easy to take for granted all the things God does for us, even when we don’t realize it. Many of the things we think we accomplish on our own are not so; we accomplish them with the help and power of the Lord. So, as a Christian, let us always be mindful of that and have an attitude of—

“Praise”[10] (Luk 19:37; Act 16:25; Rom 14:11; 15:11; Eph 1:12, 14; Php 1:11; Heb 13:15; 1Pe 1:7; Rev 19:5; cf. Psa 47:6–7; 61:8; 63:4–6; 71:8, 23; 95:2; 96:1–3; 103:1–2; 146:1–10; 150:6; Isa 25:1),
“Gratitude” (Col 2:7; 1Ti 4:4; Heb 12:28),
“Rejoicing in hope” (Rom 12:12; cf. Mat 2:10; 5:12; Luk 1:14, 47, 58; 10:21; 13:17; Joh 3:29; 4:36; 8:56; 14:28; 20:20; Act 5:41; 8:8, 39; 11:23; 13:48, 15:31; Php 4:4; 1Th 5:16; Psa 2:11; 9:14; 13:5; 31:7; 32:11; 35:9; etc.), and
“Thanksgiving” (see Luk 2:38; 17:16; Act 27:35; Rom 14:6; 1Co 15:57; 2Co 2:14; 4:15; 1Th 5:18; 1Ti 2:1; Col 1:3; 3:16–17; 1Th 1:2; 5:18; Heb 13:15; Rev 4:9; 7:12; 11:17; Psa 7:17; 26:7; 28:7; 30:4, 11–12; 95:2; 107:31–32; 138:1; Isa 25:1; cf. Rom 1:21)

—to the Lord, at all times, in all things, and under all circumstances (Act 5:41; 16:25; Rom 5:3), for He truly is a good and loving God. Amen.

[1] In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, Zerubbabel (the son of Shealtiel) led the first band of Jews (numbering 42,360 exclusive of a large number of servants; Ezr 2:64) who returned from Babylon at the close of the seventy years of captivity there. In the second year after the return, he erected an altar and laid the foundation of the temple in Jerusalem on the ruins of the one that had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (Ezr 3:8–13; 4:1–6:22). All through the work he occupied a prominent place, inasmuch as he was a descendant of the royal line of David. [Easton Bible Dictionary]

[2] Acting as “governor and master-builder of the temple.” (Wayne Jackson, The Prophets: An Old Testament Commentary Volume IV [Stockton, CA: Christian Courier Publications, 2015], 74).

[3] Circa 536–520 B.C.

[4] “The task of rebuilding the house of God was not to be accomplished by human ingenuity, might, or power—though the Hebrews would be involved in the labor process. These synonyms in tandem emphasize that the enterprise would not be attributable to strictly human effort. The accomplishment would be by the Spirit of God (v. 6).” (Wayne Jackson, The Prophets: An Old Testament Commentary Volume IV [Stockton, CA: Christian Courier Publications, 2015], 74).

[5] My italics.Also, I have slightly altered the grammar of some of the verses to make them read properly standalone and I have shortened/paraphrased some. But please, you should always be double-checking the verses yourself to make sure I have not altered Scripture (Act 17:10–11). Do not ever take things as truth without checking the Scriptures for yourself!

[6] The “snare of the trapper” are all the evil schemes, plans, and devices of wicked and corrupt men (and women) here on earth.

[7] At the appropriate time.

[8] The “Holy Spirit” (Mat 3:11; 28:19; Mar 1:8; Tit 3:5; 2Ti 1:14, etc.) is the third Person of the Trinity—He is not a force or an “it.” He feels, thinks, acts, and is fully God. See also:

“the Spirit of God” (Mat 3:16; 12:28; Rom 8:9, 14; 1Co 2:11, 14; 3:16; Php 3:3; 1Jn 4:2),
“the Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9; 1Pe 1:11),
“the Spirit of Jesus” (Act 16:7),
“the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Php 1:19),
“the eternal Spirit” (Heb 9:14),
“the Spirit of the Lord” (Luk 4:18; Act 5:9; 8:39; 2Co 3:17; Isa 11:2),
“the Spirit of life” (Rom 8:2),
“the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph 1:13),
“the Spirit of truth” (Joh 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1Jn 4:6),
“the spirit of wisdom and understanding” (Isa 11:2; cf. Exo 28:3; Deu 34:9),
“the spirit of counsel and strength” (Isa 11:2),
“the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (Isa 11:2),
“the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning” (Isa 4:4), and
“the Helper” (Joh 14:26; 15:26; 16:7).

[9] Those who obey the NT “commandments” of Christ and the instructions of His apostles (see Joh 14:15, 21, 13:34–35; 15:9–10, 12, 14; Mat 5:19; 19:17; 22:36–40; 28:20; Mar 10:19; 12:28–31; Luk 1:6; 18:20; 1Co 7:19; 1Th 4:2; 1Jn 2:3–5; 3:22–24; 4:21; 5:2–3; 2Jn 4–6; Rev 12:17; 14:12; cf. 1Jn 2:3–6; 5:2–3; Ecc 12:13). See our book The Commandments of Christ for more information.

[10] Also, “worship,” “exalt,” “shout joyfully,” “sing to the Lord,” “sing praises,” and “proclaim” (see Psa 2:11; 13:6; 21:13; 26:7; 34:3; 40:9; 46:10; 57:5, 11; 66:1, 4; 81:1; 95:1; 96:1–2, 9; 98:4; 99:5; 100:1; 147:7).

R. John Anderson

Photographer and author R. John Anderson has journeyed the world over to capture the natural beauty of God’s creation. Having traveled to many countries and continents in a span of over thirty years, he has seen the amazing artistry that can be found in all types of locations, from the glacial fjords of polar Greenland to the wild Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the rich rain forests of Costa Rica. Nature’s greatest natural beauty often lies in the harshest deserts, remotest wilderness, and sub-zero ice-covered regions.