Not By Power Or By Might But By Total Dependence on Him

Ever been overwhelmed with life and it seems as if you have more to do than there is time to do it? Yeah, that's me too at times... Some years ago I learned a principle that began to change me when nothing around me had changed. It is simply this... Spiritual dependence on God in all things... Yep, just that simple. What He has given us to do can only be done by spiritual power anyway. Zechariah 4:6 says "“This is the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts." We have to depend more intentionally on Him and not on our own power...

When circumstances become far too overwhelming for you to handle and it seems as if the enemy is all around you remember Psalms 118:5-9

  • 5 From my distress I called upon the Lord;
  • The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.
  • 6 The Lord is for me; I will not fear;
  • What can man do to me?
  • 7 The Lord is for me among those who help me;
  • Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
  • 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
  • Than to trust in man.
  • 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
  • Than to trust in princes.

In Exodus, the people of God had to depend on God to rain down manna daily that they might eat.  They couldn’t gather more than what they needed for that particular day.  The only exception to that was when the following day was the Sabbath.  Then and only then, could they gather two days of manna.  Why would God make such a rule?  It’s because He was teaching them daily dependence on Him.  He is calling on us to learn this same dependence.  He doesn’t want us to rely on ourselves or others whose power is failing and limited.  He wants to be our continued source for everything.

Friend, instead of worrying over things that you cannot change this week, try relying on the powerful Spirit of the Lord.  Our power and might will fail but the Lord is an inexhaustible source.  Enemies can’t defeat Him. Problems can’t confuse Him.  Armies are no match for Him.  Lack cannot encroach Him.  Disappointment cannot sadden Him.  Family problems cannot frustrate Him.  Sickness cannot hinder Him.  He is God of all.

When you feel yourself falling into the trap of feeling overwhelmed by life, remember that it is not by human capacity that you can overcome the world but rather by depending on Him.  Jesus says in John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Walk in Him, live in Him, trust in Him and He will give you the victory.  You have nothing to prove to others so release yourself from the opinions of other people. Put your complete trust in the Lord.

Ronald Session