Heart Tracks - Not By Might

"So 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 Almighty. 'What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it! " " Zechariah 4:6-7

I recently read a two part article that dealt first with the problems facing our particular denomination, and then second, with what the author saw as the solutions. I didn't have a problem with what he saw as the problems, or, necessarily, his solutions. He did mention that we needed to be much in prayer over all of it. Still, I was uneasy because I had the nagging sense that the reality of the above Scripture from Zechariah was not really in it. It seemed to me that there was an inordinate amount of reliance upon us, and too little upon Him. My feeling was that we could do all that was suggested and still fail to bring about any transformation at all. The Church is a spiritual organism and man centered efforts to "fix" it will never succeed. We know that in theory, but I question whether we do in practice.

As I read the piece the nagging question that I kept coming back to was, "Has the church in America, not just our part in the Body of Christ, but all of it, lost the expectation of a mighty, life transforming, church transforming move of the Holy Spirit?" It's a relevant question and do we have a real answer for it? Is our response, based upon what we're seeing, closer to being yes than no?

The article I mention was posted on Facebook by a brother preacher. That being so, there was a place for comments below, and there were a number, both pro and con. One that stood out was concerning our preaching of the message we've been entrusted with. The comment said that they didn't think there were any preachers "consciously compromising the Word of God." I'll not offer a personal opinion on that other than to say if not consciously, than certainly it is so unconsciously. How much preaching do we hear today on the cross, the blood of Christ, the Person of the Holy Spirit, and the freedom from besetting sins that is found in and through His blood, and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit? More, how much are we hearing of a cry for an awakening, a move of His Spirit that brings cleansing, new life, and inner and outer transformation?

The Book of Zechariah deals with the Jews returning to Jerusalem from Babylon and the rebuilding of the destroyed Temple. Human reason could not see how any of that could happen, which is why the Father gave them that message of encouragement. There would be a move of God upon His people and a reformation and transformation would take place. Man could not do it, but God would do it. And He would do it again.....but do we really believe that?

I write not as a critic of the Church but as a lover of it. I long to see a Christ centered awakening and move of His Spirit upon all of His church. Our problems are real. Our God is more real. How real do we expect Him to be? How real do we want Him to be? We've seen what men can do. Do we long to see what only He can do?

Blessings,
Pastor O