Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
This passage contains one of the most profound and important truths for every Christian. Will power, determination, energy, and purpose are all good qualities in their legitimate sphere, yet without the power of the Holy Spirit to implement and sustain them, we are in grave danger of being overcome by the wily arts of the devil. The Holy Spirit is given as a regenerating agent to change us from the inside out, and also to sustain the changes thus made, therefore it is of critical importance that He dwell within us as an honored guest, so that sudden temptations, would not overthrow our faith in God.
This sacred truth is what Jesus was trying to get Peter to understand as he stood on the very threshold of temptation, the night of Christ's arrest, yet poor Peter did not see his dire need of omnipotent power, and he even became offended and boastful when the warning was issued by Christ. Let's read:
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
A few hours later when satan came in for the kill, it was revealed that Peter's feeble strength and efforts, quickly melted away into nothingness, in the face of fierce and determined temptations. This horrible experience was actually the turning point in his life, for he then realized as never before that the battle is not won by human strength and methods, but only by the power of the Holy Ghost.
In our day there is a tendency to self-sufficiency, where we do not realize our need of divine help. With all of the scriptures we may know and have at our fingertips, it still takes the Holy Ghost to engage God's omnipotent power in us so that the knowledge of the truth can be implemented in our daily battles with sin and self. God forbid that we should repeat Peter's mistakes by trusting to our own wisdom and strength, for if we do we will certainly fall.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which should refocus our attention on the work of the Holy Spirit in our behalf, and if we ask God for increasing measures every day, He will respond in the affirmative, by increasing our capacity to receive. Let's read:
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
God bless!