Day 278 - By My Spirit

Daily Reading: Zechariah 3-6

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.  The Lord said to Satan, The Lord rebuke you, Satan!  The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!  Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire? 

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel.  

The angel said to those who were standing before him, Take off his filthy clothes.

 Zechariah 3:1-4

Footnote:  Satan accused Joshua, who here represents the nation of Israel.  The accusations were accurate -- Joshua stood in "filthy clothes" (sins).  Yet God revealed his mercy, stating that he chose to save his people in spite of their sin.  Satan is always accusing people of their sins before God (Job 1:6).  But he greatly misunderstands the breadth of God's mercy and forgiveness toward those who believe in him.  Satan the accuser will ultimately be destroyed (Revelation 12:10), while everyone who is a believer will be saved (John 3:16).  To be prepared, we can ask God to remove our clothing of sin and dress us with his goodness.

Zechariah's vision graphically portrays how we receive God's mercy.  We do nothing ourselves.  God removes our filthy clothes (sins), then provides us with new, clean, rich garments (the righteousness and holiness of God -- 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:24; Revelation 19:8).  All we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us.  When Satan tries to make you feel dirty and unworthy, remember that the clean clothes of Christ's righteousness make you worthy to draw near to God.

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."  Zechariah 4:6

Footnote:  Many people believe that to survive in this world a person must be tough, strong, unbending, and harsh.  But God says, "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit."  The key words are "by my Spirit."  It is only through God's Spirit that anything of lasting value is accomplished.  The returned exiles were indeed weak -- harassed by their enemies, tired, discouraged, and poor.  But actually they had God on their side!  As you live for God, determine not to trust in your own strength or abilities.  Instead depend on God and work in the power of his Spirit!  (See also Hosea 1:7).

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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV