*Not by might, (of thy own,) nor by power, (authority from others,) but by my Spirit - the providence, authority, power, and energy of the Most High. **Cf. Zech. 9:13-17

*This is the only way that the temple will be built. No secular arm, no human knowledge or wisdom, no earthly government or policy, ideas, philosophies, strategy, etc., shall ever be used for the founding, development and preservation of the temple. The world proclaims its greatness. Man evaluates his power and dominion over the earth. His pride only allows him to see what he can accomplish.

*God is telling Zechariah to tell Israel and Zerubbabel: Set aside all your ideas, dreams, philosophies, concepts of greatness, worries, desires, weaknesses. Rely totally upon the Lord and His might, His power, and His Spirit. The truth is found only in the Lord and His accomplishments, fulfillment of His promises and prophecy, will come to fruition because He wills it, not because man can accomplish the task.

Not by might ... but by my Spirit - As the lamps burned continually, supplied with oil from a source (the living olive trees) which man did not make, so Zerubbabel should not be disheartened or discouraged because of weakness or inability. The building of the temple will be effected by the living Spirit.

Hosea 1:7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

2 Chron. 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

I Sam. 14: 6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

Psalm 44:3-7 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

Psalm 33:16-20 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

2 Cor. 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Zech. 4:7   Zechariah compares the power of his adversaries to a great mountain, who thought the Jews were nothing to them, and hindered Zerubbabel (who pictures Christ), whom the enemies labor to stop in the building of his Temple, but all in vain.

The enemies think they can stop the building, but Zerubbabel will lay the highest stone of it, and bring it to perfection.. The godly will rejoice, and pray to God that he would continue his grace and favour toward the Temple.

The building of the temple is a picture of the building of the church:
The church is founded upon grace
The church is founded by the power of God and not man
The protection of the church is by God’s great power and might
The Head of the Church cannot be overrun by any element in the universe

Because all of this is true, and much more Zerubbabel can shout Grace, Grace. So should we every time someone claims to bring the work of Christ or His church to ruin. Every activity within the realm of God’s great purpose and design is protected by God’s power and might and decree. Shout grace, grace. Shout it from the housetops, from the valleys, with every breath from our mouths, GRACE, GRACE.

No human effort brought redemption. No human action or power can achieve salvation. All this is brought about by the greatness of God.

Through all the circumstances of life, all the seemingly impossible situations that man faces, and the enemies’ efforts to bring destruction and failure to God’s program...trust in the Lord and the power of His might. And above all else, shout GRACE, GRACE.

God’s enemies see themselves as a great mountain, but God will bring them down to appear as nothing but a plain, compared to the scope of God’s eternal business.

Yes, Zerubbabel will finish the temple, but the Lord will receive the glory for its being raised. Man will labor on earth for the Lord, but it is the Lord Who builds at His pace and with His energy.

Every time we enter this building to worship, enter it shouting GRACE, GRACE.
Every time we utter a prayer in the presence of God, ponder GRACE, GRACE.
Every time we raise our voice in song, sing GRACE, GRACE.
Every time we give of our offerings and tithes, say GRACE, GRACE.

Every moment and every event in which we are involved is only allowed by the greatness of God. This grace elevates every activity, prayer, plan, song and gift to a greater status and meaning. We do not labor for ourselves. We must see the work of God as empowered by God, for that work to have value.

We only achieve what He deems as best. Every time we achieve anything on this earth, shout GRACE, GRACE.