Tag: power of the Holy Spirit

“‘. . . .but by My Spirit. . . .'”

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Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.

Dear Travelers,

Treat yourself to an extra helping of your favorite dessert if you know the book, chapter and verse of the citation above. Super-size that dessert if you know to whom the LORD directed this declaration (no peeking but both answers are below).

It is, perhaps, the most oft quoted verse from one of the least read books in the Bible (that’s a hint). If Bible verses were automobiles this text would be a Lamborghini. Its elegance and style, cannot conceal a divine challenge to be bold. One does not get behind the wheel of a Lambo to drive slowly. However, unlike driving an Italian super car, this text dares us to trust in a power beyond our control.

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

The exhortation given in this verses challenges the trinity of rugged individualism, self-reliance and self-determination. Given that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, doing things by our own might and by our own power comes naturally. Every parent who has dared to help a young child tie his or her shoelaces knows this. Experience has taught that every attempt to help is met with a rousing protest of, “I do! I do! I do!” Shrewd parents may buy shoes that latch with Velcro, or slip-on, however, this only encourages the self-reliance challenged by this verse.

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

The particular context in which this verse appears deals with the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem after the exiles returned from captivity in Babylon (another hint). From a human perspective the challenges confronting the governor charged with the temple’s reconstruction were daunting: a mountain of rubble had to be cleared, a new foundation to build on, enemies all around, and to make things more difficult, even the exiles scoffed at the audacity of the project.

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

The principle emerging from this verse is clear: with God all things are possible. We must put our trust in the One who formed us in our mother’s womb. God created us to be dependent on Him for our individuality; for reliance on His grace rather than our ability to save ourselves; for trust in His purpose as the sole determination of our destiny.

Are you unemployed? “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. Are you struggling with a chronic illness? “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. Are you battling an addiction? “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. Are you working through the healing process as the result of physical, verbal and/or sexual abuse? “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts.

The trinity of rugged individualism, self-reliance and self-determination can take us only so far. If we are to make it all the way home we need the grace, truth and power of the eternal, holy and glorious Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

You think about that.

Answers: Zechariah 4.6; Zerubbabel

So That You May Abound in Hope

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13  

Dear Travelers,

How old was Paul when he wrote this benediction near the end of his letter to the Romans? How many times had he suffered rude treatment at the hands of his opponents – stonings, beatings, imprisonment, slander and deprivation? How calloused were the hands that made tents while also making disciples? How weathered was his heart, how battle-hardened his soul, how agile his mind?

This much is sure: the man knew the God of hope.

Our admiration for Paul should not arise merely from his having endured persecution for the sake of the gospel. Our admiration should arise from the knowledge that despite all that he suffered in order to fill up “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” Paul held confidently to his trust in the God of hope. More importantly, his hope in the God of hope motivated him to pray for God to fill others with joy and peace in believing so that they might abound in hope as well. At the same time, Paul assures us that the ability to abound in this hope does not depend on finding some deep inner space within ourselves, nor the silence of solitude. We are filled with joy and peace in believing by the power of the Holy Spirit who also makes it possible for us to abound, or overflow in hope.

Run your mind over that one more time: “. . . .joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” The in believing acts like a scenic outlook from which we can scan the landscape of Romans already dotted by such classic texts as –

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1

“. . . .but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” – Romans 5.8-11

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1-2

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” – Romans 8.14-16

The same Spirit who opens our heart to receive the Word of Truth, uses that same Word to empower us to be filled with all joy and peace in believing so that by His power we may overflow in hope.

No matter our age, no matter how bruised and battered by life and circumstance, no matter how calloused our hands and heart, this much is certain: the God of hope can by the power of His Holy Spirit fill us with joy and peace in believing so that by the power of this same Spirit we may abound in hope.

Such was Paul’s confidence in the God of hope.

May it be ours as well.

You think about that.