Online Reporter
Sunday Sermon with Apostle Chisale
GREETINGS beloved nation. Luke 1:80 says, “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.”
Throughout the Bible, we encounter many great men and women, who fulfilled God’s plans and purposes during their lifetimes. Their success was often due to their alignment with God’s will and their willingness to allow Him to prepare them for their destinies.
God consistently prepares us for what lies ahead and He does so in His perfect timing. He is never in a hurry until we are truly ready. As one minister once said, “All people God uses significantly are extensively prepared.” Yet, few are willing to endure the process of God’s preparation.
Many believers and human nature in general tend to be impatient. We desire quick results — wanting to stand at the pulpit immediately, launch our own ministries hastily or get married without necessary spiritual or emotional preparation. When God intends to use us, He begins by building our capacity—the ability to fulfil the purpose He has for us.
What is capacity?
Capacity is the ability a person demonstrates to accomplish a task or fulfil a calling. God desires to equip us with capacities that enable us to achieve great things for His glory.
A clear example is John the Baptist, whose life is detailed in Luke. His birth was announced to Zechariah, a priest, who prophesied that John would be a prophet of the Most High, preparing the way for Jesus Christ — the first prophet in 400 years. His destiny was to point people to the Messiah.
Luke 1:80 notes, “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.” This suggests that John had to undergo a process of growth before stepping into his divine purpose. He needed to become spiritually mature and strong. The desert — an environment of hardship — was where this development took place.
When God is preparing you, it’s often not comfortable. It’s a season of stretching, pruning and testing. God begins by speaking a prophetic word over your life, then takes you through a process of growth and capacity-building. Sometimes, believers want to bypass this process, rushing to appear publicly before their appointed time. However,
God’s work of preparation requires patience and obedience.
The process of preparation: Lessons from Joseph
Consider Joseph in Genesis 37-47. Favoured by his father, Joseph dreamed of ruling and his brothers bowing before him. Yet, he lacked the capacity to govern at that time. His journey to leadership involved hardship, he was sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned.
Despite these setbacks, Joseph’s attitude remained aligned with God’s plan. He didn’t complain or accuse God, instead, he endured, allowing God to develop his administrative and leadership skills in the prison and slavery environments. His capacity to govern was cultivated during these challenging times.
Similarly, King David was hidden in caves like Adullam, where he faced many difficulties before ascending to the throne. In 1 Samuel 16, David was anointed king yet he waited years — seven in total — before reigning. This waiting period was crucial for God to train and shape his character, ensuring he was fully prepared for leadership.
The importance of character and timing
Many are appointed by God, but still require training to develop the character necessary for their role. You don’t just become what you are called to be, you must prove yourself worthy of the appointment — acceptable to both God and people.
My prayer is that we, as believers embrace the process. Trust that God’s timing and methods are perfect. Seek His grace and strength during these seasons of wilderness and preparation. Remember, God is with you — sometimes silently working behind the scenes — building your capacity to fulfil your divine purpose.
If you haven’t yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you now, believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Through this, you will be saved and start a new journey with Him. May God’s blessing be upon you all.
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