By Pastor Ronald Bernier, Master Builder Ministries
It’s hard to imagine the difficulty the Jews had to come out of the foreign land from which they had been exiled; and return to rebuild their heritage, culture, temple and ways of God. Zerubbabel was the initial leader who began this difficult journey with His people, to be followed by Ezra and then Nehemiah in a series of reform and building. In reading through the prophet Zechariah’s entries, we get a picture of God’s enabling grace. His prophecy sets the context for where the strength will come from to accomplish this great work:
“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:‘ Not by might not by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’” Zechariah 4:6-7
If this was not enough, Zechariah continued to prophesy:
“The hand of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel, they are the eyes of the Lord, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” Zecharaih 4:9-10
It is important to see that the work is the Lord’s. His servants serve Him. Their strength and power comes from His Spirit. He chooses, directs, empowers and sees to it that the work is brought to completion. In the end, the shouts of joy, worship and honor go to the Lord who is the source and destination of all our work. He is the one who deserves glory.
It doesn’t matter how small we see the beginning of the matter, we should not despise foundation building. For the same Lord who enables the foundation to be built, will also see that the capstone is laid. He brings about the desire of His heart through servants who submit to His call. He finishes what He begins.