The prophet Zechariah was giving God's message to the people who were trying to rebuild Jerusalem, and they felt weak, discouraged, and overwhelmed. God gave him this message to explain how true success happens.

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"This is the word of the Lord... 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6)

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1. "Not by might..." This is about collective strength.

   • Think: Army size, political influence, big budgets, or human numbers. God says, "This won't be accomplished by the world's idea of force."

2. "...nor by power..." This is about individual strength.

   • Think: Your own talent, willpower, intelligence, or hard work alone. God says, "This also won't be accomplished just by you trying harder."

3. "...but by my Spirit." This is about God's strength.

   • The "Spirit" is God's active, empowering presence in the world. It's His power, His wisdom, and His life at work. God says, "This will only be accomplished by My energy and My presence doing what you cannot."

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The people were trying to rebuild God's temple, but the task seemed impossible with their limited resources. They were looking at the problem and feeling small. God's message redefined the source of their success.

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Why is this a big deal for us?

This verse flips our entire understanding of how to tackle big challenges.

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• The World's Formula: MIGHT + POWER = SUCCESS(More resources + more effort = victory)

• God's Formula: HUMAN WEAKNESS + GOD'S SPIRIT = MIRACLE(Our trust + His power = a victory that clearly points to Him)

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When you face a task that feels too big for you, whether it's fixing a relationship, overcoming a fear, or doing something great for God, remember this: the key isn't to rely on your own strength or resources. The key is to rely on God's Spirit. True and lasting success comes from His power working through your faithful obedience.