Par Mon Espirit
By My Spirit, says the Lord. Zechariah, the prophet, made a proclamation that lasted for centuries and still rings true today! It is not just a motivational statement, but also an eternal truth. For those who grasp its significance it is a life-changer. It changes everything we do and gives us a completely different perspective towards life, things and people. It is a divine Kingdom principle. It is so simple, yet so profound.
‘Ce n’est ni par la puissance, ni par la force, mais c’est par Mon Espirit,’ dit l’Eternel des armees. (Zechariah 4:6) ‘Not by power nor by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord.
Zerubbabel had to build a house for the Lord. He was not sure that he could do it. So Zechariah prophesied: ‘les mains de Zorobabel ont fond cette maison et les mains l’achiveront.’
(Zechariah 4:9)
The hands of Zerubbabel laid the foundations of the house and his hands will finish it. The secret laid in the fact that the Spirit of the Lord would help him accomplish the task. This is something we often forget.
‘Not by power, not by might (force) but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord.
Here are some reminders of this true principle.
- If we are spiritual people we have to walk in the Spirit
- To walk in the Spirit means you have to walk by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7)
- Instead of striving in our own strength we have to learn how to rely on God’s Spirit
- As we make seeking Him the most pre-eminent thing in our life He takes care of so many things we think we have to take care of
- In the beginning the earth was void & dark and waters covered the earth. And the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. Then God spoke and creation took place.
- God raised Jesus from the dead by His Spirit after 3 days in the grave
- If the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He will quicken your mortal body
Power & might describe human efforts. We have certain strengths that make us use force to accomplish whatever we try to accomplish. But we do not wait for the Spirit to be the first mover. We want to do it in our own strength. This causes disruption, confusion, hurt and disappointment.
In order to let the Spirit do it, we have to learn to deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Jesus. He worked by the Spirit of God. He only did what His Father showed Him to do. He only spoke what His Father told Him to say. (John 5:19) He did not do it in His own strength, nor did he try to force things. He allowed the Holy Spirit to do it. He co-operated with the Holy Spirit.
As we learn to yield more to the Spirit we will accomplish much more. He works in us and through us and for us.
Paul prays that the eyes of our understanding be enlightened that we might know the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead, the same power that works mightily in us who believe. (Ephesians 1: 19-21)
Let’s look at a few instances of doing things by the Spirit.
- Worship directed by the Spirit
God looks for those who worship Him in spirit & truth. (John 4:24) He wants us to worship Him the way the Holy Spirit directs us to worship Him, because the Holy Spirit knows the deep things of God. He knows the mind of God. The Word of God is the truth. Jesus is the Truth. (John 14:6) Jesus is the Word made flesh. As we follow directions to worship from the Word of God and operate by the moving of the Spirit of God, we please our Heavenly Father.
- Prayer directed by the Spirit
He helps our infirmities and intercedes on our behalf. We do not know how to pray as we ought to pray, but He makes intercession on our behalf. He tells God what we really need. He is our go-between. We do not need Mother Mary or any other saint to be a go-between.
Yvette & I went to the grave of Thomas, the Apostle that laid down his life in India when Brahmin priests murdered him. They have a giant poster of Thomas with the caption: ‘let me take you to your lord.’ I asked them how they knew what Thomas looked like? I also said I do not need Thomas to take me to my Lord. Jesus said: ‘I am the way to the Father. No one comes to the Father but by Me.’ (John 14:6)
- Relationships directed by the Spirit
Paul says, ‘we no longer know each other after the flesh, but after the spirit.’ We learn to know the spirit of someone and not just their personality.
John & James wanted to call down fire on Samaria to destroy the city when the people did not receive Jesus, but Jesus rebuked them and said: ‘you don’t know what spirit you are of. I did not come to destroy the world, but to save it.’
Sometimes we act in our own strength and try to force relationships instead of allowing the Spirit of God to do it.
- Wisdom directed by the Spirit
Earthly or fleshly wisdom causes all sorts of problems and confusion, but the wisdom of God is first peaceable and easy to be entreated, full of good works. (James 3:15-17)
- Projects directed by the Spirit
Zerubbabel had to learn that he should build by the Spirit of God and not just in his own strength and might. When the Spirit directs a project we will finish what we started. He will accomplish it through us. He knows God’s will. He knows how to go about it. We will have peace & joy because the Spirit is a Spirit of peace & joy.
If only we can learn this vital principle as believers: not by might, nor by force, but by My Power says the Lord.
When we force things in our own strength, things break. When you use force to open something it can break. But when you find out how to do it, it is easy. The Spirit is the anointing that will break the yoke. The Spirit is the anointing that will teach us concerning all things.
- Giving directed by the Spirit
I remember the first offering in the first church we planted called Southern Christian Centre, Bassonia. We held our first meetings in Mondeor Civic in the south of Johannesburg. The very first meeting there were only 3 people so I did not take up an offering. But within 3 weeks we grew to 19 people and I took up an offering. Phil & Priscilla Visagie that pastors Harvester Port Elizabeth were there as well. The offering amounted to R22 and 20 cents. I asked the Lord, ‘how will I raise a family on such an amount?’ The Spirit of the Lord told me: ‘do not despise the day of small beginnings!’ I repented and wrote a thank you note to all 19 people!
Since then the Lord has supplied all our needs as a family in the full time ministry! We were able to raise 3 children, educate them, provide a house and open up a door of ministry for them as well. We took them around the world with us as we ministered the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In our own strength we were not able to do it. We could not force anyone to give anything into our ministry. But the Spirit of God directed people to give towards our missionary and apostolic work. We have reached 117 and it will soon be 120 nations this year by March 2018! Praise the Lord!