Do you long for God to move in your situation? When the Holy Spirit is at work, He makes unusual breakthroughs possible. For example:
- Do you require financial provision to sustain God’s work? The Holy Spirit stirs someone to give—right on time
- Maybe you need a new job. The Holy Spirit brings you to the attention of an employer and you sense God has given you favor
- You help bring an unbeliever—someone from another faith, or someone you would least expect—to faith in Jesus
- Someone who has stood against you withdraws their opposition
- A person or group offers to help you when you most need it
We Know the Verse, but What is the Story Behind It?
For years, we have quoted it, sung it, and celebrated it: “Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit” says the Lord Almighty.’ (Zech 4:6)
We have understood the essential meaning of this verse; that we are not going to fulfill God’s purposes in our own strength—that we need the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
However, today I believe God is highlighting this passage in its Biblical context, in order to give us a greater insight into the way that the Holy Spirit moves for the accomplishment of God’s plans.
How the Holy Spirit Moves so that God’s Work is Done
To understand what Zechariah is referring to, we need to go back to the book of Ezra, when it is on God’s timetable to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The Babylonians had destroyed it when they invaded Jerusalem.
Notice the specific language the Bible uses, to describe how the Holy Spirit moves as God’s plan to rebuild the temple is set in motion:
- ‘…in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia (Ezra 1:1)
- Then… everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:5)
After this enthusiastic start, the people laid the foundations of the new temple. However, the enemy moves in, which frustrates and delays the project. 17 years go by. And then, God speaks through His prophets—Haggai and Zechariah.
“It’s time to begin building again!”
The Divine Imprint on the Human Heart
Haggai tells us, “So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God.” (Haggai 1:14)
Why do people respond with hard work and enthusiasm?
- It is not only because they hear the prophecy and think, “We should obey God”
- Neither is it just because they are following their leaders’ instructions—although the Holy Spirit is using both of these things.
The people step up to complete the work because the Holy Spirit is stirring their hearts.
And there is more.
Mountains of Opposition are Removed
After years of political opposition, the leaders of Judah receive an edict from the now-King of Assyria. Amazingly, God has moved upon the heart of pagan King Darius to order the completion of the temple and to give generously.
- The mountain of opposition referred to by the Prophet Zechariah is removed, by one sweep of the hand of God! The work continues to progress until the people complete it. (Zech 4:7)
At the conclusion of the project, Ezra notes, ‘They celebrated with joy… because the LORD had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.’(Ezra 6:22)
Partner with the Spirit Through Prayer
When God says, “It’s not by might, it’s not by power, it’s by My Spirit”, it highlights how the Spirit does His work.
The Spirit is at work moving the hearts—and intentions—of people.
God impacts people’s hearts for favor, for open doors, for Divine positioning, for salvation, for the release of labor and resources.
The Holy Spirit moves by stirring the hearts of people—beginning with our own.
Are you available for the Holy Spirit to stir you today? I believe God wants to bring you a fresh word that will open you to the move of the Holy Spirit.
- It’s time for your faith to rise!
- Now is the moment to lift your expectations!
- It’s time to turn again to prayer!
It is through prayer that we partner with the Holy Spirit as He works on the unseen—the hearts, attitudes, and motivations of people.
That brick wall, or that closed door, or that mountain of impossibility. Nothing can withstand the move of the Holy Spirit. And I believe this is God’s word to you today; that you are going to be amazed as you see people moved upon by the Spirit.
Right now, God is at work in the hearts of unbelievers to draw them to Jesus.
The Spirit is at work, influencing secular leaders in positions of authority so that the Father’s work and will are accomplished.
Projects initiated by God will be completed as the Holy Spirit moves on hearts to respond and give.
What is difficult for you, indeed, what is impossible for you, is easy to our God. For it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit that His purpose for your life and ministry will be accomplished.
Notes:
I have recently been writing a series of prophetic studies from the story of Ezra, Zerubbabel, and the rebuilding of the temple. The other studies are:
Your Fresh Start: God’s Part and Yours
God’s Upgrade for Your Life and Ministry Begins Here
Why does God Allow Frustration and Delays?
Study Online: Classes for Those Growing in Prophecy:
I’ve been privileged to receive extraordinary prophetic mentoring, as one of a ministry team of prophets and teachers with David McCracken Ministries.
But it hasn’t always been that way. When it comes to spiritual gifts, I know what it is like to go on a long journey, and often a lonely one.
My own experience of struggling to find good mentoring is why I am extremely passionate about helping others learn how to hear God’s voice, and grow in their gifts of prophecy and discernment.
The best mentoring and teaching I can give you is now rolled into this one place, on the Enliven School of Prophecy and Discernment.
You can view and sign up for my self-paced video lecture series in the Enliven Prophetic School here. Choose between a small monthly subscription or a one-off payment with no expiry date.
Does this article speak to you? Do you have a testimony to share, or a prayer request? Leave a comment in the comments box below.
© 2014 Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries: in the David McCracken Ministries family
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
saludos,hermana Helen…han sucedido cosas sumamente agradables en estos ultimos meses de intensa intimidad con el Señor :sueños,visiones…en donde el Señor me ha mostrado aquello que EL hara a su tiempo con nosotros,pero no o hara sin antes llevar a cabo una completa profilaxis espiritual en mi vida ,todo es cuestion de esperar y esperar el tiempo de Dios.En otro orden de ideas,muchas de mis oraciones delante del Señor por auxilio en diferentes areas de mi ministerio y vida estan siendo respondidas maravillosamente ,sin duda el E.S. se esta moviendo en todo esto…por favor pido oracion por el ministerio de mis hijos delante del Señor,tengo cuatro,todos sirven al Señor,dos son pastores,uno es evangelista y otra instructora de matrimonios…de los pastores,uno de ellos ha optado por predicar sermones de caracter calvinista,y hacer caso omiso de la voz del E.S.,siendo que el fue bautizado en el E.S. y esto es motivo de mucha oracion delante del Señor ,para que vuelva al camino .El otro todavia no se casa ,y eso ha sido motivo para mi y mi esposa de mucha oracion para que el Señor provea una mujer :NACIDA DE NUEVO,BAUTIZADA EN EL E,S. Y QUE SEA UNA MUJER DE APOYO PARA EL MINISTERIO QUE EL DESARROLLA…GRACIAS POR SUS CONSEJOS Y ORACIONES POR NOSOTROS ,EN ESPECIAL POR MEXICO,QUE AHORA VIVE SITUACIONES DE VIOLENCIA TERRIBLES.GRACIAS .
Hi Jose, it is great to hear that your heart is being uplifted and you are sensing that God is at work. I join you today in your prayer for your family, especially that your children will feel drawing and the pull of the Holy Spirit, and your specific requests. May you see God at work in supernatural ways in these next weeks. He loves to answer our prayers. May you all know His protection in the midst of the difficulties and violence around you too. In the darkness, the light of Jesus shines bright.
this article has encouragéd me. my prayers is that i may expérience more of thé Holy Spirit in every area of my life.
Great prayer, Virginia, yes Lord, let it be! :-)
Reminds me of this article I wrote about having an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/11/23/how-you-can-have-an-intimate-relationship-with-the-holy-spirit/
Thanks Helen, the article has really opened my eyes to new truth. There is a project going on in the church now,but the people seem not to be responding. And now the project is on hold. My prayer now is that the Holy Spirit should move peoples hear to give towards it. Pls, join me in praying too. Thanks.
Hi Pst. Nelson, I will pray and our team will pray too.
‘What God begins, He finishes.’
May your church be richly blessed in unity as you love and serve Jesus.
Dear Sister Helen, thanks for your inspirational and informative articles! Please pray for me and my family and Ministry – Spring of Life International. My wife Elizabeth, has an explosive temper and has been abusing my family for 13 years of our marriage! She shouts, quarrels, complains, swears and curses every day. She is disrespectful, arrogant and proud. She gossips about me and spreads lies about me. She hardly prays or read the Bible. As a Pastor’s wife, she is such a bad example of Christ to my children and the congregation. She has been to counsellors and simply refuses Godly counsel. I’m so tired of living with her and especially seeing her abuse our children with hatred! I’m praying for intercessors in my Ministry and have asked. Thanks and God bless.
Hi Pastor Lebese, I am sorry to hear of the struggles you have been experiencing. A fellow team member and I have prayed for you today, may you receive the wisdom and comfort of the Holy Spirit with regards to your situation, God is faithful.