“. . . Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts,” Zechariah 4:6

One of my fondest childhood memories was going down to the piers overlooking the harbor and watching the tugboats come in and out (even now I am moved by the nostalgia of it). Sometimes these boats are alone, but at other times they were guiding bigger ships through the busy harbor waters to dock safely.

Big ships are powerful, but the ins and outs of navigating the harbor can be tricky for them, so they need to be led instead of trying to move in their own strength and power.

What an image of our spiritual life!

Many, when they get up in the morning and go about their day, that’s what they do – move in their own strength and power. They navigate their day according to their natural wisdom, knowledge, and understanding as if they are the end-all of that day’s plan. Never once stopping to think, is this what God would have me do today?

A person who is Holy Spirit-driven knows that “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Ps. 37:23). They have the assurance that  His anointing is guiding them through the day. Yes, man can make plans and goals, but he who is Holy Spirit-driven seeks God’s intervention. He seeks His guidance. He seeks to be led by Someone outside of himself: “Lord, is this what you would have me do today?”

Who, today, can admit to needing a little more direction in life? Are you tired of being burdened by trying to manage the ins and outs of life while still trying to maintain control? That is not God’s plan for us. If truth be told, we don’t know the ins and outs of everything.

God knows this, and He has given us His Spirit to help lead and guide us on our spiritual journey.

It is amazing to think that we can go on a spiritual journey without the Spirit. How would that work? Unfortunately, since the Fall, mankind has continually sought to be led by his own understanding. But God offers us help. He offers us the power not only to walk through this journey but to make it to the other side. No matter how mighty and invincible one thinks he is, humanity can’t do this on his own.

Question: Is there any area where you may not feel as complete and whole as you need to be? The cause may be that God’s Spirit is not being allowed to move and work as needed. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 instructs us to, “Quench not the Spirit.” Don’t get in the way of what He wants to do through you. Don’t put out the fire of God’s power. Let Him become like a roaring flame on the inside, spilling over to the outside, and spreading to every area of your life.

God is concerned about you, my friend. Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17). This Comforter is here. This Spirit of truth, Who will not lie, but will lead us correctly and powerfully, is here! Won’t we let Him do his job?

If God knows we need Him. If Jesus knows we need Him, why do we refuse Him?

Joshua 9:14 is a portion of Scripture that has always stuck with me. Basically, Joshua and the elders were hoodwinked into making a covenant with those they were meant to conquer. They had to live with that decision because they “asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.” They did it in their own strength and understanding without being properly led.

Too many of us make the same mistake. Going about with our own plans, our own understanding, without asking, “What does God think about this?”

We could save ourselves a lot of undue stress if we would step aside for a moment and let Him do His job. We need to get out of ourselves and be led by the Spirit!

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” This is a verse that I have personally repeated to myself. A prayer, if you will, to be led by His Spirit.

How are you being led today? Who or what will you allow to steer you?

Blessings~

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