GOD CALLS INADEQUATE LEADERS AND EMPOWERS THEM

Among the many inadequate leaders whom God empowered, I will highlight four men: Moses (Exodus 6:28-30), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1-10), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:11), and Paul (Acts 9:15). Moses tells God he is unable to speak. God quickly points to Aaron, his brother, to help him. Jeremiah said, "I am only a child." God quickly told him, "I am with you." Nehemiah is simply a cupbearer, a servant. God helps him find favor in the king's eyes and obtain everything he needed to build the walls of Jerusalem. Regarding Paul, who persecuted Christians, God says, "This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel."

It is incredible how God chooses and equips His people to lead. If God chose leaders who were already ready to lead, He would find none. That reminds me of Jesus' words in John 15:5: "Apart from me you can do nothing." So woe to those who set out to lead a task relying on their own ability; it will be a total disaster.

In Acts 19, Paul, while preaching in Ephesus, performed extraordinary miracles, and evil spirits came out of people. Some Jewish exorcists tried to do the same, and they were the sons of Sceva, one of the chief priests. Notice that the devil himself recognized their inadequacy and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?" Then they were overpowered, beaten, wounded, and fled.

Paul was successful in his message, and the sons of Sceva were not. Why? Because Paul was called and empowered to preach with authority over demons, and the sons of Sceva were not!

If it were not for God’s calling and empowerment, Moses, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, and Paul would have been incapable of doing what they did.

A leader’s résumé does not determine his ability to do God’s work. When God calls you to do something, He will also give you what you need to carry it through to the end. It all begins with keeping your eyes and ears open and being willing to move forward when the right time comes.