Zechariah 4:6-This is the Word of the Lord to (put your name here): “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit!: says the Lord of hosts.

Once again as I sit in the presence of the Lord surrounded by so much of life, tempted to be discouraged and downhearted, overwhelmed by the large ominous black clouds gathering on the horizon, I’m reminded of HIS strength, HIS might and HIS glory.  Why is it so tempting to focus on the dark when the Light is in me to dispel the darkness. Psalm 42:5 NASB says: Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.

So many times without realizing it, we listen to the voice of the enemy in our heads as he subtly turns our focus from the presence of the Lord to the problems that we face. You may be a pastor, a missionary, an evangelist, teacher or just a lay person like myself but the tactics are the same, to change our focus and gain access to our hope by getting us to change our words. The obstacles you face today will be behind you tomorrow. There is NOTHING we cannot do with God on our side. It’s not by your own strength or power that you will get through this, it’s Gods. 

I got excited this morning when I saw my name in this verse: This is the Word of the Lord to Sandy! It’s not by your own might or power but by my Spirit, says the Lord. It’s the power of your Spirit, resting in your presence, surrounded by your glory, worshipping before you in humble adoration. I overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony, but I must tuck my life away in Him.  When it’s not I that lives but Christ that lives in me, I will truly be His and His alone. So Father, I rest in your presence, breathing in the sweet fragrance of your grace and goodness. You refresh me, energize me, renewing my peace and strength to face another day. You never meant for me to do this on my own, so I lay it all down. The light is so much brighter since my joy has returned to me.  You have taken my loss and turned it into gain as only you can do. Amazing Father. Faithful friend.