"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." The foundation of the temple had been laid shortly after the initial return of the Jews from Babylonian exile in 538 BC, but powerful opposition prevented any further progress on rebuilding the temple for nearly 20 years. In a vision Zechariah saw a golden lampstand supplied by a never-ending source of oil from two adjacent olive trees. When Zechariah inquired of the Lord what this meant, Zechariah was given a message addressed to Zerubbabel, the governor, who along with Joshua the high priest had been charged with the task of rebuilding the temple upon the Jews return from captivity. God's word to Zerubbabel was a reminder that the obstacles that faced him in the rebuilding task would not be overcome by conventional resources of might or power, but by the enabling and empowering presence of God's Spirit. How much more in our time does the enabling power of the Holy Spirit accomplish God's plans and purposes because He lives and dwells in each one us. God supplies you with a never-ending anointing of the Holy Spirit to accomplish His plans and purposes through you because you have the indwelling Holy Spirit.
