"Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." - Zechariah 4:6

Remember when you were a little tyke and you couldn't get the jar of jelly open, no matter how hard you tried? Then along came the big strong hand of someone much older and bigger. One simple motion and the top would come off like a spinning wheel. Your efforts were just not enough, but someone else had more than was needed.

Our spiritual endeavors are not very different. Life comes at us with an overwhelming force. The challenges are far greater than our strength can handle. Still, we will give it all that we have, to no avail. The truth is we need someone stronger and more powerful. What a relief to know that the Lord is ready to step in and open the jar at just the right time.

Don't try it all by yourself my friend. The trials of life will press harder the more you strive. Learn the lesson of Zechariah... "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." - Let the strong hand of your heavenly Father open the jar and lead the way through every challenge of life. He alone has strength to spare.