Theme: Leaders: Depending on God.
Memory Verse:
“But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:18-20).
Beloved,
Our God is so Supreme that any one that trusts fully in Him can never be disappointed because He will always direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Over 2 million Israelites were led out of Egypt by Moses and that was a huge leadership responsibility. He (Moses) began as a reluctant leader and didn’t even believe he had the skills or abilities to lead the people of Israel on such an important journey (Exodus 3:11; Exodus 4:16). But God promised to be with Moses, and to provide the help he needed to fulfill God’s great assignment for him.
God Shapes Us
God will often put people into places of responsibility before they feel ready or able. Perhaps you have already been thrust into a leadership position where you are facing frustration or even failure. If so, take heart!
God’s shaping process includes giving us responsibilities outside our comfort zone. God uses such times to teach us important lessons. These situations grow our faith, expand our abilities and increase our trust in God. In such times, we learn to depend more upon God (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Lord encouraged Moses by assuring him that his fears and weaknesses could be overcome by God’s help and power. Moses – like every one of us – also needed teaching, shaping and help from others. He needed to develop his abilities. Most importantly, he needed a far deeper dependency upon God and His power of wisdom than ever before.
God is Able
God does not choose His servants based upon their cleverness, talent or wisdom. If you are worried that you do not have the skills to fulfill God’s assignment for you, that is actually a good thing.
Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians said “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
Apostle Paul spent three years in the desert of Arabia separating himself from his own fleshly gains – his vast education, his zeal, his devout Hebrew heritage, his obedience to the law – in order to truly gain Christ. “Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus” (Galatians 1:17). “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:4-8).
Paul understood that in his own power or wisdom, he could accomplish nothing eternal. “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
A wise servant of God recognizes that it takes more than his personal ability or experience to qualify him for the work of ministry. It is only through God’s ability – God’s calling, power, gifts, wisdom, and anointing – that one will truly be fruitful in ministry.
God looks for those who are loyal to Him and completely His and then HE does mighty works through them (2 Chronicles 16:9). The traits that will make one a vessel fit for the Master’s use are: his heart, his character, his willingness to depend fully on God and obey Him.
I pray that God will give us the grace to depend fully on Him in Jesus Name, Amen
Bro Ewaen Ekhator is a lecturer at the university of Benin, Nigeria. He is in partnership with the Ministry of the Word.