This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. Zech 4:6
In this verse Zech 4:6, God is speaking to Zerubbabel who was the governor of Judah; appointed at the time of the reconstruction of the Jerusalem temple with the help of Joshua, the high priest (Ezra 3:2–3, 8). They faced challenges, setbacks, and discouragement during this phase of reconstruction where they were unsure if they can achieve the task.
But, then the angel of Lord appears and makes it clear that God has spoken these words, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit”. When life gets hard, we will not be able to overcome by our own power or might, but only through the Spirit of God and His strength in us. It is precisely mentioned in John 15:5, “Apart from me you can do nothing”. We need Jesus and the power of His Spirit in everything we do.
We need to accept the fact of our inability regarding anything if we keep Him aside. Our every single achievement is not ultimately through our strength, but by His might, His word, His thoughts towards us. We tend to prevail when we completely trust in His power and provision in every day of our lives. His Spirit empowers us not only in our success, but also in our weaknesses, failures, disappointments, etc. Romans 8:26 gives us the assurance that “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us.” When we solely depend on His Spirit and His strength, He helps us overcome every obstacle and part the Red Sea in front of us (any phase of our life). This promise (Zech 4:6) given to Zerubbabel comforts us too only when we are filled with His Spirit and been anointed by the same Holy One as can we see that “any mountain become a plain.