Day 14 with Moses: You will be able to do what you need to do.

“And Moses said to the children of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. “And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver—those who do every work and those who design artistic works.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭35:30-35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

William Joseph Seymour was born in 1870 in Louisiana to emancipated slaves. He would go on—through a combination of God ordained events—to settle in Los Angeles, California where he initiated the Azuza Street Revival. The Azuza Street Revival was responsible for sparking the outbreak of Pentecostalism and (eventually) the Charismatic movement in the United States. “Daddy” Seymour (as he came to be known) was a black man living in a time of racial discrimination. Yet, he used that force as the wind in his sails. Rather than stopping the call of God in his life, adversity actually propelled him into God’s plan. He was born into poverty and was blind in one eye (from complications of smallpox). Yet, he would be instrumental in a movement that has as its children and grandchildren most of the Pentecostal, Holiness and Charismatic denominations and movements in the United States today.

Smith Wigglesworth was born to impoverished parents in the United Kingdom in 1859. Having to work from the time he was able, he never went to school and was illiterate until the time that he married his wife, Polly. Polly would be the one who would teach him to read the only the only book he ever read, the Bible. He was a plumber by trade until he went into full-time ministry in 1907. Wigglesworth’s healing ministry spanned decades and is still talked about in Pentecostal circles today.

Reverend Earl Pearly Paulk, Senior (my maternal grandfather), was born in South Georgia in 1904. He was also born into a humble home and had to leave school after the second grade in order to help with the family’s farm. He would grow up to attain high position and great recognition in the Church of God. He traveled the world (in a time when that was not common for pastors) and sat before kings. Although his reading skills were limited, he became known as the “walking Bible” because of his vast memorization of scripture.

What all of the above men have in common is that—against all odds—they succeeded at doing what would have been seen as impossible, if making a human calculation.

Another thing they all have in common is that they followed the leading of the Lord, doing what He sent them to do, while trusting Him to equip them for the impossible.

Throughout the word of God we find examples of people who—against all “odds”—did the impossible; they gave themselves to the Lord and trusted Him to empower them to do the work.

“Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” [The Lord answered,] Behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.”

‭‭I Kings‬ ‭3:7, 9, 12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When Solomon became king after David‘s passing, he felt he was not up to the task. He asked the Lord for His help and received ability far beyond what he could have imagined.

Today we find Moses telling the people that the Lord had equipped two individuals to lead the work of building the tabernacle. The Lord had given them the skills they would need to carry out his instructions as well as the ability to train others. You see, the Lord did not just tell Moses that He wanted a tabernacle, He also gave detailed instructions and put the ability within individuals to carry out the work.

If your starting point is analyzing what you are able to do, in terms of “deciding” what God can do with your life, you will greatly limit the power of God and your personal calling. The Lord will never call us to do something that He will not also equip us to do. As well, He will prepare our path. Our part is to listen to Him, follow His instructions and leading, all the while fully trusting Him to prepare us for the work.

What is possible for our lives should not be judged based on our ability, but on the power of God. And—given that basis for estimation—even the sky is not the limit!

For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:

You will be able to do what you need to do.

#40daysinthewilderness