Daily Worship (Nov 16)
Devotional 1: Strength for Today
Zechariah 4:6–7 (NIV)
6 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.
7 “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!’”
Devotional Thought
This passage was spoken to a discouraged leader named Zerubbabel. God had called him to rebuild the temple, but the work felt impossible. The people were tired, the supplies were low, and the progress was slow. In many ways, this is how life feels for us too. We face problems that seem too big to move—habits we can’t change, relationships we can’t fix, and pressures we can’t carry. We often respond by trying harder, pushing ourselves, or using our own strength to force a solution. But God gives Zerubbabel a different kind of strength. He says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.”
This means the real power to live, to obey, and to endure comes from God, not from us. We are not asked to be strong on our own. The Holy Spirit gives us power when we are weak, courage when we are afraid, and hope when we feel stuck. Even the “mighty mountains” in our lives—things that feel too big to overcome—are no match for God.
In the end, God promises that Zerubbabel will finish what he started because God Himself is working through him. This is good news for us. God does not leave His people alone. He gives us His Spirit so we can keep going, even when life is difficult. Jesus fulfills this promise by sending the Holy Spirit to live in us. Because He is with us, we can face today with strength that is not our own.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Father, thank you for giving me Your Spirit when I feel weak, tired, or discouraged. Help me trust Your strength instead of my own. Make my mountains level ground, and give me courage to obey You today. Amen.
6 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.
7 “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!’”
Devotional Thought
This passage was spoken to a discouraged leader named Zerubbabel. God had called him to rebuild the temple, but the work felt impossible. The people were tired, the supplies were low, and the progress was slow. In many ways, this is how life feels for us too. We face problems that seem too big to move—habits we can’t change, relationships we can’t fix, and pressures we can’t carry. We often respond by trying harder, pushing ourselves, or using our own strength to force a solution. But God gives Zerubbabel a different kind of strength. He says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.”
This means the real power to live, to obey, and to endure comes from God, not from us. We are not asked to be strong on our own. The Holy Spirit gives us power when we are weak, courage when we are afraid, and hope when we feel stuck. Even the “mighty mountains” in our lives—things that feel too big to overcome—are no match for God.
In the end, God promises that Zerubbabel will finish what he started because God Himself is working through him. This is good news for us. God does not leave His people alone. He gives us His Spirit so we can keep going, even when life is difficult. Jesus fulfills this promise by sending the Holy Spirit to live in us. Because He is with us, we can face today with strength that is not our own.
COMMA Questions
- Context: How does the rebuilding of the temple help us understand why God gives this promise?
- Observation: What images or phrases show that God is the one giving power?
- Meaning: What does “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” mean for believers today?
- Main Idea: How does God give strength to His people when they feel weak or overwhelmed?
- Application: Where in your life do you need to stop relying on your own strength and trust the Spirit’s help?
Prayer
Father, thank you for giving me Your Spirit when I feel weak, tired, or discouraged. Help me trust Your strength instead of my own. Make my mountains level ground, and give me courage to obey You today. Amen.
Devotional 2: Do Not Despise Small Things
Zechariah 4:10a (NIV)
10 “Who dares despise the day of small things…?”
Devotional Thought
These words were spoken to people who felt like their work was too small to matter. The new temple they were building looked nothing like the glorious one Solomon built. Their progress was slow, their resources were few, and the whole project seemed unimpressive. Some people even mocked the work. God’s response was simple but powerful: “Who dares despise the day of small things?” In other words, God values what the world calls small.
This is important for us because most of our lives are made up of small things—simple chores, ordinary jobs, quiet prayers, small acts of love, and repeated decisions to obey God. It is easy to think these moments do not matter. But God sees every detail. Small things are often the way God builds big things. A small seed becomes a tree. A small act of kindness can heal a heart. A small prayer can reshape a future.
Jesus Himself lived a life of “small things.” He worked with His hands, walked dusty roads, washed feet, and spent time with people who were overlooked. The greatest act of salvation—His death on the cross—looked small and weak to the world, yet it was the power of God.
When you feel unnoticed or unimportant, remember that God is at work in every simple moment. Nothing done in faith is wasted. Your whole life—even the parts that feel ordinary—is holy to the Lord.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Lord, help me trust that You see every small act of obedience. Teach me not to despise ordinary moments but to honor You in all things. Make my everyday life a place where Your kingdom grows. Amen.
10 “Who dares despise the day of small things…?”
Devotional Thought
These words were spoken to people who felt like their work was too small to matter. The new temple they were building looked nothing like the glorious one Solomon built. Their progress was slow, their resources were few, and the whole project seemed unimpressive. Some people even mocked the work. God’s response was simple but powerful: “Who dares despise the day of small things?” In other words, God values what the world calls small.
This is important for us because most of our lives are made up of small things—simple chores, ordinary jobs, quiet prayers, small acts of love, and repeated decisions to obey God. It is easy to think these moments do not matter. But God sees every detail. Small things are often the way God builds big things. A small seed becomes a tree. A small act of kindness can heal a heart. A small prayer can reshape a future.
Jesus Himself lived a life of “small things.” He worked with His hands, walked dusty roads, washed feet, and spent time with people who were overlooked. The greatest act of salvation—His death on the cross—looked small and weak to the world, yet it was the power of God.
When you feel unnoticed or unimportant, remember that God is at work in every simple moment. Nothing done in faith is wasted. Your whole life—even the parts that feel ordinary—is holy to the Lord.
COMMA Questions
- Context: How does this verse fit into the larger message God gives to the discouraged builders?
- Observation: What word or phrase stands out to you in this short verse, and why?
- Meaning: What does it mean to “despise” small things, and why does God warn against it?
- Main Idea: How does God use ordinary and small things to accomplish His purposes?
- Application: What is one “small” area of your life where you can be faithful this week?
Prayer
Lord, help me trust that You see every small act of obedience. Teach me not to despise ordinary moments but to honor You in all things. Make my everyday life a place where Your kingdom grows. Amen.
Devotional 3: Your King Is Coming
Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Devotional Thought
Zechariah gave this promise to a weary people who longed for God to rescue them. They expected a strong military king who would ride in on a warhorse. Instead, God promised a King who would come “lowly and riding on a donkey.” This King would be righteous, victorious, and humble. This prophecy points directly to Jesus and is fulfilled in His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Jesus came in a way no one expected. He did not take power by force. He did not use violence or pride. He came with gentleness, compassion, and truth. People shouted for joy because their King had finally come—but they did not yet understand His mission. He came not to overthrow Rome but to defeat sin and death. His victory would come through suffering, betrayal, and the cross.
This gives us both strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Jesus knows what it feels like to be rejected, tired, and misunderstood. He is the humble King who walks with us in every hard moment. And He is the victorious King who has already secured our future. We do not need to fear tomorrow because our King is righteous and good.
When life feels small or disappointing, remember that Jesus came lowly—and He is still the King. He rules with love, and His kingdom is growing even when we cannot see it.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for coming to us in humility and love. Help me trust You as my King—both in the small moments of today and in the hope of tomorrow. Give me faith to follow You, even when I cannot see the whole plan. Amen.
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Devotional Thought
Zechariah gave this promise to a weary people who longed for God to rescue them. They expected a strong military king who would ride in on a warhorse. Instead, God promised a King who would come “lowly and riding on a donkey.” This King would be righteous, victorious, and humble. This prophecy points directly to Jesus and is fulfilled in His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Jesus came in a way no one expected. He did not take power by force. He did not use violence or pride. He came with gentleness, compassion, and truth. People shouted for joy because their King had finally come—but they did not yet understand His mission. He came not to overthrow Rome but to defeat sin and death. His victory would come through suffering, betrayal, and the cross.
This gives us both strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Jesus knows what it feels like to be rejected, tired, and misunderstood. He is the humble King who walks with us in every hard moment. And He is the victorious King who has already secured our future. We do not need to fear tomorrow because our King is righteous and good.
When life feels small or disappointing, remember that Jesus came lowly—and He is still the King. He rules with love, and His kingdom is growing even when we cannot see it.
COMMA Questions
- Context: How does this prophecy fit into the larger message of hope Zechariah gives?
- Observation: What details about the King stand out—His character, His actions, or His appearance?
- Meaning: Why is it important that God’s King comes humble and lowly instead of proud and forceful?
- Main Idea: What does this verse teach us about the kind of King Jesus is and how He brings salvation?
- Application: How can trusting Jesus as your humble and victorious King shape your fears, worries, and choices this week?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for coming to us in humility and love. Help me trust You as my King—both in the small moments of today and in the hope of tomorrow. Give me faith to follow You, even when I cannot see the whole plan. Amen.
Posted in #roaringfromzion
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