Divine Sufficiency

"This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by (human) might, nor by (human) power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 4: 6)

It is not a little sin for man to take credit, by way of merit, for what God does for him or gives to him. Men think themselves independent of God, when the fact is, they are dependent upon him for every breath and every ounce of strength. They credit him with little. They credit themselves immensely.

Sinful man does not want to own the sovereignty of God, nor his ruling providence over him. Yet, those who have been divinely taught, and who have received the word God sent to Zerubbabel, say convincingly, "it is not by my power" but by the "power of God" that I am. They readily confess that it is by God's Spirit that they are given all the good they possess.

"God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God." (Psalm 62: 11)

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (Romans 13: 1)

"Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." (Deuteronomy 8: 16-18)

The power to get is from the Lord, whether it is power to get wealth, wisdom, health, or any other blessed thing. Man is not sufficient in himself for these things.

"For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (II Corithians 2: 15,16)

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." (II Corinthians 3: 5)

For something to be "sufficient," it must be "enough." That which is insufficient is that which is not enough. Ability is also integral to the idea of "sufficiency." What is the source of "power"?

Even the mental powers a man has is of the Lord. His power to speak, to hear, or to calculate, is all of the Lord. Said the Lord to Moses:

"And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?" (Exodus 4: 11)

The power man has to think, to speak, to walk, to breathe, to do anything, is of the Lord. Whatever power man may have, even to do evil, is God given. "There is no power but of God." Throughout the scriptures, it is repeated that God "gives power." (Isaiah 40: 29)

For the Christian, this is an important truth to always keep in mind. He has been shown his own insufficiency, his own weakness and impotency, and realizes that he stands in need of the power and grace of the Lord. Said Jesus to the suffering apostle:

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (II Corinthians 12: 9)

Christians acknowledge their own weaknesses and insufficiency and are quick to confess their total dependency upon the Lord and the strength he gives. They credit the Lord for all that they are able to do. The Lord is greatly please when men give to him his due, his honor and glory; he is greatly displeased when men rob him of his due honor and glory, when they give credit to themselves.

God is dishonored when men cry "I did it my way," and profess to be "self-made men." Such evil boasting and "taking credit where none is due," is the chief of man's sin and apostasy against the Lord his Maker.

The first great king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzer, dishonored God by saying -

"Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee." (Daniel 4: 31, 31)

He did not receive nor believe the word of the Lord that says - "not by human might and power, but by my Spirit."

Friend, are you giving to God the honor and praise due to him, or are you claiming his praise for yourself? Are you robbing him of his rightful glory? Do you brag on yourself or brag on the Lord?