No Shortcuts
Zechariah 4:6–10
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

This message to Zerubbabel has several parts: first, a general principle: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts”; second, a reference to obstacles: “Who are you, O great mountain?” (v. 7); third, a promise that Zerubbabel will complete the temple construction: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you” (v. 9).

This is where the vision encourages us. Zerubbabel was a man beset by many problems in his attempts to carry God’s work forward. He was fighting lethargy, smallness of vision, and lack of faith within Israel. Without, he was fighting the determined opposition and evil cunning of God’s enemies. These forces undoubtedly did seem like a “great mountain” before him. They were an obstacle human power could not remove. But God urged him to be strong in completing his task, knowing that the Lord himself would reduce the mountain to level ground. The victory would be won by God’s Spirit, not by human power.

There were no shortcuts, however. The work still had to be done: the stones still had to be laid. Any worthwhile work always begins small and progresses from that point to become bigger. As I counsel with people in our day, many of them young people, I am convinced that one of their biggest problems is that they expect shortcuts. They want a simple principle that will explain all the Bible and eliminate the need for concentrated and prolonged Bible study. They want an experience that will set them on a new spiritual plateau and eliminate the need for hard climbing up the steep mountain paths of discipleship. They want a fellowship that has all the elements of a perfect heavenly fellowship without the work of building up those elements by their own hard work and active participation. This is not the way God has ordered things. He could have given shortcuts but he has not. Even Zerubbabel, who was the leader of Israel at this time and who in this vision receives a promise that he will live to see the completion of the temple— even Zerubbabel, who is promised the fullness of the Holy Spirit to complete his work—even Zerubbabel still had to take his plumb line in hand and work away at the mountain one day at a time.

It was about four years after this that the temple was completed. Those four years contained much hard, grueling work, often hindered by Zerubbabel’s internal and external enemies. Should it be easier for us? Should we expect shortcuts? On the contrary, victories will be won now as then only by those who advance toward them one step at a time.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.