Zerubbabel faced a problem as large as trying to move a mountain. He was commissioned by God to rebuild the temple using a group of former exiles from Babylon.
How God worked with the governor who later became the king is a perfect example of how God wants us to approach God-sized assignments.
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 of hosts.
“What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain, and he shall bring out the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” (Zechariah 4.6-7).
God assured Zerubbabel that his mountain-sized task would be made as flat as a plain, leading the people to joyfully proclaim, “Grace, grace,” in praise of God.
The driving force behind this transformation was to be the Spirit of God.
Jesus’s disciples were unable to heal a demonized boy. When they asked Him why they couldn’t do it, He told them their faith was lacking.
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17.20).
Both Zerubbabel, Jesus’ disciples, and people like us face mountain-sized issues. When we look at our own resources, we always fall short. When we look to God’s power through His Spirit, we find success. The question is, which one will we trust?
Attempting to move a mountain using only a shovel and wheelbarrow would be an exhausting task that could take a lifetime. In contrast, moving a mountain through the Spirit of God could happen in an instant.
Jesus addressed those who had tried to overcome the great challenges in their lives through their own efforts, offering them this insight.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11.28-30).
Jesus invites those of us trying to move mountains in our own strength to come to Him. This is the consistent message of the Bible: come to God and trust Him for what you need.
Jesus says that if we join with Him and learn from Him, He will make our job as light as possible, all the way to victory.
Jesus told His disciples that even faith as small as a mustard seed could move mountains. This invitation to trust God extends to Zerubbabel, the disciples, and all of us.
Trusting in Him means we stop depending solely on our own resources, initiatives, and abilities, and instead, we place our full confidence in God to achieve what only He can with the challenges we face in our lives.
What mountain needs to be moved in your life today? Let’s all join together and come to Jesus. Take His yoke upon us, learn from Him, place our trust in Him, and see Him work in us through the Spirit.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. You will be blessed if you gain insights from Rudy, which he has developed over years of studying the Hebrew language and devotion to Christ. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 