Zechariah 4: God finishes what He begins

Key Verse
6 Then 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 of hosts. 
 
Meditation
Discouragement in discipleship is not the end of the story. Faith sees God’s perspective, promise, and provision even when life is difficult. Christians join Paul in believing, “…that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…”  Philippians 1:6).  We see obstacles. God sees opportunities to reveal His sovereignty. We see gaps between where we are and where we want to be. God sees places to reveal His sufficient grace, His power made perfect in our weakness.
 
The context of today’s chapter is devastation and discouragement. How could God’s people begin to rebuild the rubble of the temple, especially after decades of delay? The vision, the prophetic perspective, is clear: Golden lamp stands and menorah are major temple furnishings once taken by the Babylonians in 586 BC. In regards to utility, these were for the priestly work in the temple. Symbolically, the images represented God’s restored presence, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. Motivationally, God was revealing the temple will be rebuilt “not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (vv. 1-6).
 
God promised His Spirit will move to finish the work God started. God names the obstacles and promised His grace will make level ground to walk forward (v. 7). We need not despise the small steps of faith making a foundation for our journey of obedience (vv. 8-10). God will give provision for His plan to be accomplished, transforming perceived barriers into blessing.
 
God’s sovereign grace redeems resistance to His plan and purpose. We can be sure of this: God WILL finish what He started!
 
Today’s Reading
And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6 Then 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 of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
“These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.” 11 Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” 12 And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil[a]is poured out?” 13 He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially God’s perspective, promise, and provision to finish what He began in and through His people?
 
-Do you trust God’s sovereign grace to finish what He has started in you, through you, and around you?
 
-Why is it important to trust that God’s will is accomplished by God’s Spirit alone, not by our might or power?
 
-Where do you need to see God redeem resistance- your heart? Family? Team? What He has called you to do? God has a plan and calls us to walk step by step. You must be certain- God will finish what He began.
 
Key Verse
6 Then 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 of hosts.