Not By Might

Joy Revie

Not by Might, and not by Power, but by My Spirit...

I have always wondered how Jesus could sleep so soundly in the boat with that storm raging around him. The disciples, despite being  seasoned fishermen  and well used to storms, were clearly terrified. They feared for their lives.
What sort of peace did Jesus have that He was able to sleep so deeply and how do you get it?

Now, I don’t presume to have knowledge of Jesus' inner thoughts but the Bible reassures us to "Fear not" 365 times... one for every day of the year!!

Three years ago I was asked to take on a role at work that I had decided was definitely not for me. I had put up every excuse not to do it and made conditions in my head that I felt confident would never be met and would confirm that I shouldn't take it on. The reality was that I was afraid… afraid of failing, afraid of letting my colleagues down, afraid of being vulnerable by stepping out of my comfort zone.

But the Lord was patient and generous to me… all my "conditions" were more than met… to the point where it was almost humorous how obstinate I was being. He reassured me that He was 110% with me in this new venture and would be with me every step. My shaking legs and palpitations didn’t magically disappear and every day started with a prayer: ‘be with me and show me what I need to do today and how to do it’.

His quiet, gentle Spirit has been so faithful over the years. He has never let me down. I have learned to lean in to Him and be patient; to allow Him time to work things out in His time, and to seek and listen for his advice rather than me blundering in; that I don’t need to have all the answers, because trusting Him to work it out brings peace.

So this verse has been a comfort to me:

Not by Might, and not by Power, but by My Spirit says the Lord
Zechariah 4:6

It was a promise of provision to Zechariah that the temple would be rebuilt, despite opposition and obstacles. It's the power to overcome, and a promise for us that the equipping of the Holy Spirit helps us to fulfil all He has asked us to do.