Andrew’s Volkswagen stopped, and the guards walked over. He prayed as he had many times in the past: “God, when You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, please make seeing eyes blind.” The guards searched the car, saying nothing about the Bibles in the luggage. Andrew crossed the border, taking his cargo to those who couldn’t own a Bible.
Andrew van der Bijl, or Brother Andrew, relied on God’s power for the seemingly impossible task God had called him to—taking the Scriptures to countries where Christianity was illegal. “I’m an ordinary guy,” he said, emphasising his limited education and lack of funds. “What I did, anyone can do.” Today, his organisation, Open Doors International, serves persecuted believers in Jesus worldwide.
When Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, faced the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding the temple after the Jews returned from exile, he was discouraged. But God reminded him not to rely on human power or might, but on His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). He encouraged him through a vision given to the prophet Zechariah of lamps supplied with oil from nearby olive trees (vv. 2-3). Just as the lamps could burn because of the continual supply of oil, Zerubbabel and the Israelites could do God’s task by relying on His continuous supply of power.
As we rely on God, may we trust Him and do what He calls us to do.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
How can you rely on God’s Spirit? How might the vision of the olive trees supplying the lamps with oil encourage you?
Holy Spirit, please help me to rely on You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
God reminded Zerubbabel not to rely on his own strength during difficulty: “ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground’ ” (Zechariah 4:6-7). The term translated “Lord Almighty” (“Lord of hosts” [ESV]; “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” [NLT]) is Yahweh Tseva’ot (or Sabaoth in the KJV). It’s the combination of the covenant name for Israel’s God, Yahweh (Lord), and tseva’ot (almighty, hosts, armies). This divine name appears around three hundred times in the Old Testament. It’s God’s “heavenly title.” He’s the “Commander-in-Chief” of the universe. When we’re faced with challenges, we should rely on the one who controls and rules over all things rather than trust in our own personal resources. Thus, with David, we can say, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord [Yahweh] our God” (Psalm 20:7).
Arthur Jackson
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