“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit”
“I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare.” (Isa 42:8-9)
In reflecting on the Word of God to Zerubbabel as recorded by Prophet Zechariah, I am thinking about the different perplexing situations around us today that need divine intervention. You can think about many, especially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but let me rally us back to the theme for this year: Renewed Zeal for Gospel Ministry. Renewed zeal is what we need in this season when churches remain closed indefinitely. The ministry entails preaching the gospel as well as reaching out with physical relief in Jesus’s Name. The ‘new things’ being declared need to be acknowledged and received with an optimistic renewed zeal.
The resilience of human beings and institutions can tell a lot. Three years ago when Qatar was plunged into a shocking crisis – almost a bondage – the Gulf Diplomatic Crisis, the force that was expected to bend or break down the small rich nation achieved little, at least in the short term. Five surrounding countries abruptly cut off diplomatic relations, imposing trade and travel bans that left the country without access to the source of almost 80% of their food supplies; Air travel by Qatar Airways was heavily disrupted, but Qatar remained resilient and would not budge to the 13-point demands. They saw things differently. No crisis can claim finality. You are therefore permitted to dream on, to expect big things, to remain hopeful, to look forward to a brighter tommorrow – all these despite the apparent crisis, shock or disruption that may have crossed your path. But how can this be?
I believe our world today needs the intervention of the Holy Spirit; and prophets and prayer warriors need to stand in the gap more than ever before. When Zerubbabel’s company were faced with a crisis similar to Qatar’s – enemies around them making life and progress very difficult – they stopped the Temple Rebuilding Project that had only come out of the foundation. Even coming to this level was by God’s grace; they would only be able to continue in the same unction. And God’s messengers of the season did not spare the Word: Zechariah’s famous line ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit’ (Zech 4:6) was addressed to this situation to revive hope and rouse action, both for physical development and spiritual revival.
One key characteristic of God’s mission is that it is unstoppable! The call to Renewed Zeal for Gospel Ministry now drives us into new disciplines, new schedules, new skills, new equipment, revised budgets – it is all worth delving into. As William Carey advocated for using all ‘means’ for all gospel mission purposes, we do well to soldier on, strengthened by the Holy Spirit who is with us. Rejoice and give thanks to God for the former things that have come to pass, and embrace the new things He declares with renewed zeal for gospel ministry.
God bless you all!