Your Christian Strength: ‘But By My Spirit’!

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit

After a very spirited choir practice last Monday evening, the seed for this Points of Assurance post -on Christian Strength- was planted.  That evening I traced the song title, But By My Spirit, to it’s scriptural inspiration – a small,easy-to-miss book in the Old Testament of the Bible: Zechariah (John the Baptist’s father).

But By My Spirit

These words, and the Biblical verse it’s drawn from (Zechariah 4:6), have been in my spirit since that Gospel Choir practice!    The song, and underlying scripture, mesh well with the final Pillar of Christian Assurance: Exceedingly-encouraged Attitude.

I’ve found during my walk as many spiritual messages in Gospel music as in pulpit-delivered Sermons.   My involvement in choir has shaped me as much as my listening to scores of sermons – over the past 6 years at my current Missionary Baptist church in Central NC.

• The lyrics of “Blessed Assurance” and “God is Great” have been highlighted on this blog previously.
• The lyrics of “But By My Spirit”, 2 scriptures, & an audio (above) of the original song are featured.   As well, a link to the live video of song is provided (below); it features the songwriter himself, James Mitchell, leading the song . . . a touching testimony!

Song for Christian Encouragement

But By My Spirit

Mississippi Mass Choir

It’s not by power
And it is not by might
That you have made a way
That you have made a way

It’s not by power
And it is not by might
That you have brought me
That you have brought me through

It is no goodness
No goodness of my own
That you have kept me
Oh Lord you kept me
But by my spirit
Saith the Lord

Sometimes I just don’t
I just don’t understand
How you keep blessing me
Lord you keep blessing me

I wanna thank you
And praise you too
For keeping me
From dangers seen
And unseen
Lord it was You

It is no goodness
No goodness of my own
That you have kept me
Oh Lord you’ve kept me
But by my spirit
Saith the Lord

It’s not by power
It’s not by might
But by my spirit
Saith the Lord
Saith the Lord
Saith the Lord

• Written by James Mitchell.

• From the Mississippi Mass Choir’s Not By Might Nor By Power release.   Title and the song both drawn from same scripture (in 2nd to last book of the Old Testament).
  

• Link to a live performance of song . . . as led/sung by the songwriter/singer James Mitchell (Longer than CD version in video embedded above; the sound [in intro of this link] is a bit hard to hear)

Source of lyrics: www.music-lyrics-gospel.com

SCRIPTURE: Christian Strength

So he answered and 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. Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,for my power is made perfect in weakness.  “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

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• So, next time YOU need a bit of encouragement from the Lord, the lyrics to this Gospel Song may be just want you need.   Too often we Christians try to fight battles that are BEYOND our power, might, or ability to win alone.   In such situations, know the battle is the Lord’s battle; but by HIS spirit you can prevail!

• The Mississippi Mass Choir song ends: It’s not by power. It’s not by might. But by my spirit, Saith the Lord, Saith the Lord, Saith the Lord.    If God said it I believe it.  Don’t you?   Remember these 8 words: But by my spirit, my Grace is sufficient.   In both the Christian Strength scriptures I’ve provided in this post, the Lord has let you know who’s got the power . . .

The Lord: My grace is sufficient to win the battle.   But by My spirit, not your might, you will prevail.   When you’re weak, I am strong!   Be assured, I’ll never leave you.

Be strong, be encouraged in the Lord.  Heading to church to worship and sing this wonderful Gospel song in a few minutes.   Grace, mercy, and peace to You!

Greg Silverthorne