January 16, 2017
featured•hope•trials•waiting
Not by might + Zechariah 4:6 Bible Verse Coloring Page
“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. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!'” 8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.” [Zechariah 4:6-10 ESV]
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day here in the States. We’re remembering the great task Dr. King felt called and equipped by God to do, the task that demanded his all. The right man in the right place at the right time.
I learned this week (from this account) that Dr. King was in Memphis when he was murdered only because there had just been a violent protest there. City sanitation workers were fed up of working conditions that were both sub-human and dangerous. Dr. King’s policy was to always go back and stage a peaceful protest once there had been a violent one.
The night before his murder, he gave a speech at the Mason Temple in Memphis. Behind him, emblazened on a sign, was today’s coloring page verse: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, Saith the LORD of HOSTS” (see image below).
Image: thecivilrightsmuseum.org
This verse is from Zechariah 4, an account of a vision of Zechariah, the prophet, containing a message for another man–Zerubbael–who was given the God-sized task of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem after the exile.
There was opposition to the project and much of the work probably seemed like “the day of small things,” far removed from the glorious day the “top stone” would be set in place (4:10).
No wonder those in the middle of the Civil Rights movement found hope here.
Don’t you think we can find hope here too, no matter the bigness or smallness of our calling?
Hope that accomplishment rests on the work of the Spirit, not our own strength.
Hope that mountains turn into plains before the LORD.
Hope that God, the Lord of hosts, with an army at His command, has His eyes on us (and the whole earth).
Hope that even small things can be built into SOMEthing bigger.
Between the days of small things and the day of the top stone, faithful work in the Spirit and unrelenting hope in the Lord of hosts will be required of us.
I need the reminder today that my task depends on my Jesus, not on me. He is up to it, though I am not. He is committed when I am ready to give up.
Today’s printable Bible verse coloring page is from Zechariah 4:6(b). You can download your page by clicking on the image below!*
PRAYING the Word
We put all our hope in the power of your Spirit to do what you have called us to. We put no confidence in our flesh and our own abilities (Philippians 3:3; Psalm 71:5). Thank you that you are always faithful, always strong, always with us.
QUESTIONS to consider:
1. Do you feel like everything depends on you and what you can do? How does that feel?
2. Do you act as if everything depends on you? How has that worked out for you?
2. What do you need to hope in God for today?
2. Do you act as if everything depends on you? How has that worked out for you?
2. What do you need to hope in God for today?
*I’m so happy for you to enjoy my coloring pages and printables for your personal (not commercial) use! Use for Bible studies, church groups or events, and Sunday school classes are all fine! If you’re in doubt, I’m happy to answer any questions. All artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. If you share this, you’re awesome (!), and as a courtesy, please link back to this post and not the PDF file. Thank you!!
Scripture is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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I like it, Mary. A good reminder. Thanks.
Thanks friend. ❤
I must say Our God is an awesome God because one of my goals this year is to do more bible journaling and well I'm not the bet artist in the world and so I said I was going to go searching for free prints that could help me. This week it happens that 2 out my 4 kids have the flu and so do I..and yes I am here on the computer go figure ha.. but it was because something told me HEY go look and I was thinking but I feel so blah it's not like I will do anything OK I'll just find a few and print and I find your blog! NOT only do I find one but there are SO many amazing and beautiful printables. I am BEYOND so happy! So thank you SO much because as soon as I'm feeling better I'll be getting into bible and getting into our Lord's words w/your printables! SO THANK YOU SO MUCH! Happy & Blessed Wednesday to you. Now back to bed before Hubby asks why I'm still on the computer ha..
Oh, hi Ellie! I'm so glad you found something encouraging and helpful!! I hope you have a great year ahead getting to know God and His Word better through Bible journaling. I hope you and the kiddos are on the mend soon, and thanks so much for the note. Blessings!
Hello Mary! I came across your website just by coincidence but I know it thanks to God that I found it:) I wanted to thank you so much for your work and for sharing with others with your work and free coloring pages! They're so useful for me I will print it for my sisters in church and I will colour some and send them to the persecuted christians from different part of the world. So thankful! God bless you! Greetings from Poland! Kinga
Hello Kinga from Poland!! Thank you so much for writing and using the coloring pages to bless others! You are amazing!!