POWER FOR PERFORMANCE (8)

“Not by might nor by power, but BY MY SPIRIT,' says the Lord of hosts” – Zechariah 4:6b

True POWER for PERFORMANCE is attributable, not merely to human effort, skills, or resources, but to the Holy Spirit’s enablement: “Not by might nor by power, but BY MY SPIRIT,' says the Lord of hosts” (Zech.4:6b). In Zechariah’s vision, the golden lampstand and the two olive trees represented a continuous, supernatural supply of oil. This wasn't about human effort to keep the fire burning; it was about a divine source. For Zerubbabel, the task of rebuilding the temple was daunting, but the message was clear: your performance is not tied to your resources, but to God's Spirit. True Performance – the kind that builds impact and legacies that last – is fuelled by the Holy Spirit.

Verse 6 speaks to the limitation of human effort. “Might” referred to collective resources – armies, wealth, connections – and "Power" referred to individual physical strength or mental resolve. God declared that these were secondary. When Divine Power is engaged, obstacles don't just move; they are flattened; mountains are levelled: “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become plains” (v.7a). Performance could be hindered by “mountains” such as bureaucracy, debts, or sickness, but under the influence of the Spirit, these obstacles lose their height and become a smooth path for our progress. This is the Grace Factor in operation: “...shouting, ‘Grace, grace to it!’ (v.7b).

Grace is the lubricant that makes the difficult look easy. Peak Performance in the Kingdom is not marked by “sweat and toil” but by “Grace”! When God’s Power performs through us, onlookers see the result and recognize it as an act of divine favour. What tops it all is the Completion Assurance: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it” (v.9). It’s one thing to start; it’s another to perform until the end. God’s Power provides the stamina to finish; ensuring that we don't have "abandoned projects" in our lives.

Beloved, stop forcing, and start flowing. If you’re exhausted, you might be relying on "might” rather than asking the Holy Spirit to take the lead. Moreover, we must, like Zerubbabel, command obstacles and address mountains. Performance is activated when we verbalize God’s authority over the challenges, and value small beginnings (v.10). Divine Performance often starts small but gains supernatural momentum.

In Jesus’ Name, I declare that:

I do not rely on self strength; I am fuelled by the Holy Spirit. Every mountain of difficulty and delay standing before me becomes a plain.

The Spirit of Grace is the secret behind my success and speed. Stagnation is not my portion; I shall finish every good work I have started.

I am exempted from the struggle and toil of this world. The Spirit of God provides me with supernatural intelligence for every assignment.

My hands are anointed for completion and excellence. I will not be put to shame, for the Lord of Hosts is my backing.

Even in "small beginnings," I see the greatness of God manifesting. I am a living wonder, performing beyond my natural limitations.