Finish The Year Strong

-December 31, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday, happy New Year’s Eve,

“So he answered and 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).

Today is the last day of the year, day number 366. We had an extra day this year in February due to leap year. Sometimes we put things off until the last minute, which is not good. It is always important to finish the year strong.

Just as Solomon had the responsibility of building the first temple, which bears his name, Zerubbabel was tasked with building the second temple, which bore his name. They Jews had come out of captivity in Babylon and returned to their homeland, just as God promised through the prophet Jeremiah.

Under Nehemiah and Ezra the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, but the temple still lay in ruins. The prophet Haggai tells us that the people built their own homes, but neglected the house of God. They needed a spiritual push to complete the project, which they finally did.

Today’s verse is the push Zerubbabel and the people needed to finish the task. The prophet Zechariah speaks God’s Word reminding the people that God’s work must come first and be done in His power not man’s.

God’s promise of enablement is, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” We like the Jews can’t do it on their own; they needed God’s help. God gives them the key to success and victory with the words, “but by My Spirit,” says the Lord.

How often do we say, “I can’t do it.” While that is true we can’t do it on our own, we need the Lord. God calls His people, trains and equips them, to do His will and His work for His glory.

Paul understood this principle when he wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Just look at what can be done when God is in it: Noah built the ark; Solomon and Zerubbabel built the respective temples, Nehemiah built the walls; and the apostles built the church. Were these assignments easy, no way! It took strength and effort, but most of all God’s Spirit and power.

What has God given you to do? It may be something big or small; but it is important to God. The hymn writer Kittie Louise Suffield wrote, “Little is much when God is in it, labor not for wealth or fame; There’s a crown and you can win it, if you go in Jesus’ name.”

Have a blessed last day of 2024 in the strength and power of the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

As Solomon said in Psalm 127:1, “unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

Dean