Many people believe in survival of the fittest. A dog eat dog world. Many believe that In order to survive you must be tough, strong, unbending, and harsh (heck, I used to think like this). God declares that His coming Kingdom would not be the result of human ability. Here’s one of my favorite verses in the Bible…

 

“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Zechariah 4: 6

Although the returned exiles were attempting to rebuild the temple, there was a very big problem—they were weak, discouraged, tired, and dirt poor. Can you relate? I know this girl can. But we have the advantage. We have Almighty God on our side! It’s so great to just know that we don’t have to trust in our own strength and abilities! Amen? If we look back to the book of Hosea, God tells us…

 

“But I will show love to the people of Judah. I will free them from their enemies—not with weapons and armies or horses and charioteers, but by my power as the Lord their God.” Hosea 1: 7

Bigger and beautiful doesn’t always mean better. There was a man named Zerubbabel, who I guess you can call the foreman of the rebuilding project. He was the one overseeing the physical work. He laid the foundation for the new Temple. When the older Jews saw that this new Temple wasn’t as big and glorious as the Temple built during King Solomon’s reign, they were disheartened.

 

”Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4: 10

What you do for God may seem small and insignificant at the time, but God rejoices in what is right, not necessarily what is big. Just as the rebuilding of the Temple could only be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit, anything we attempt to do for God must be done with reliance on Him alone.