Today’s Devotional: “Never Run Dry”

How many times have we said we’re running on empty or that we’re all burned out?

We use these phrases to signal that we’re all used up and that there’s nothing left. We can’t do another thing, and we’re ready to quit.

But in the Lord, there’s no quit, and we’ll never be used up because there’s more than enough to see us through.

This was the heart of Zechariah’s vision: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6b)

In the vision, the Lord showed Zechariah the tabernacle’s golden lampstand, which was kept continuously burning. What Zechariah saw were two olive trees, one on each side of the lampstand, dripping their oil into the bowl that fed the channels leading to the seven flames.

The Lord said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:14)

The two anointed ones in Hebrew mean “sons of fresh oil.”

Today, the lampstand represents the church (Revelation 1:20). This means the church will continue to shine forth the light of God, Jesus Christ, when it’s filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18).

But it also refers to believers.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Referring to Isaiah’s prophecy about Himself, Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel.” (Luke 4:18a)

Jesus also said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

And so, to light the light of Jesus in our hearts and in His church, the Lord gives us the Holy Spirit. So, try as we might, it’s the Holy Spirit who will empower us to live effectively for the Lord.