Zechariah 4:6 (ESV) Then 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 of hosts.

Yesterday as I left off I said that the flesh might have taken over the reins. There is nothing definitive in the word might. We all have to search within ourselves earnestly to understand our motivations. It has been my experience that some will try to force judgment upon us. We all have the capacity to sin but that does not indicate our inclinations.

Romans 6:1-2 (ESV) ¹ What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ² By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

How can we? The answer to that is in the Spirit by faith. Power and night in Zechariah 4:6 refers to human will and position. Mankind, in their desire to control us will tell us what we must do. Their words will insinuate a guilt that is long gone for many of us and is only meant for those who have not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

My use of the term might is nothing more than a plea to allow God to reveal truth to you for He is the only one who knows what the truth is for each of us. I know what I have done in the past. I know what others have done to me in the past. Those things are in the past for me. It is possible that others might have similar experiences.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Weary is an expression of the flesh. The Spirt never gets tired, the flesh does. The warning in the verse 6:8 is not to sow from the flesh. We are both flesh and spirit and the work we do in the spirit is felt in the flesh. If feels good to do God’s will, to be used of God. The danger is in our trying to recreate those moments because it feels good. That is when we stop seeking His will and start looking to feel good again.

Getting tired of doing good is the flesh saying, “I am not being satisfied.”

Those who are called and gifted with the vocations upon which our churches grow and thrive are in clear danger of burnout and need the occasional respite. The term sabbatical is directly related to the Sabbath. How the world defines the terms of a sabbatical do not apply here. Each of our vocational workers need to be aware of those needs.

What of us layman? When do we need a break?

The only answer I have for any of us is found in our relationship with our Lord. The motivations of the heart must be to love the Lord and not to seek satisfaction. Growth in the Lord and a closer personal relationship will determine what the Lord can do thru us and with us.

Matthew 11:30 (ESV) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Obedience of faith should never feel like we are being driven like a beast of burden. Saul’s kicking of the goads occurred because he was persecuting Jesus rather than obeying Him. Getting tired in service for the layman might be that the flesh has taken over the reins.