"Facing the Giants"

 "Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of aliens." (Hebrews 11:34 KJV)

  "Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke mem as though I had been asleep. "What do you see now? he asked. I answered, "I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks. And I see two olive trees, one on each side of the bowl." Then I asked the angel, "What are these, my lord? What do they mean?" "Don't you know?" the angel asked. "No, my lord," I replied. Then he said to me, "This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force or by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies."" (Zechariah 4:1-6 NLT)

 It is hard sometimes to put this into practice, mostly because we forget that it is by His Spirit, not by our own might or strength! This is not just something that we put into practice; this is what we must believe and make it a reality, which can only happen by faith, not in ourselves, but in the Spirit of the Living God!

 I believe I might still have a shirt from a retreat I went to, probably 30 years ago, which had this same Scripture on it, "Not by might, nor by strength, but by my Spirit." It is interesting that Zechariah says the angel woke him you, as if he was sleeping, because that is the case for many of us today! 

 No matter what we are facing in this life, be it cancer, challenges with finances, or a failing marriage, we must die to ourselves and give everything to God! Again, I will share the illustration given by Pastor Gary, which he taught us about learning how to drown. If you are flailing around and the lifeguard is coming to save you, he will most likely wait for you to either relax or drown. That way he doesn't get hurt or get knocked out, then you both might drown. 

 If we try to do the things we face, that seem overwhelming, instead of giving it all to God, then we are going to be like that person who is drowning, flailing their arms all around, out of control. Like that lifeguard, God will simply wait for you to drown, and then pull you out of the water...

"In that day you will sing: "I will praise you, O LORD! You were angry with me, but not any more. Now you comfort me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD GOD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory."" (Isaiah 12:1-2 NLT)