Do you feel a calling to be a church leader, but worry that your insecurities will hinder your success? Do you think you lack the strength needed to lead effectively?
Maybe you’ve already found yourself in a leadership role and are experiencing challenges or setbacks. If that resonates with you, take comfort. There is encouraging news from God for you.
A. GOD USES THE WEAK
“He giveth power to the faint, and to those that have no might …He increaseth strength ” (Isa 40:29).
When God calls someone to be a leader, His selection isn’t based on their intelligence, skills, or education. In fact, these qualities may need to be refined or even dismantled before He can fully work through us. The Bible states…
”I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent” (I Cor 1:19).
The Apostle Paul says,
“The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 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 this world to confound the wise; and
God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And… things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are (I Cor 1:25-28).
The Apostle Paul imparts an essential lesson: in our moments of weakness, failures, and struggles, God unveils His wisdom. In our times of helplessness, His power shines through.
His strength is perfected in our frailty. A preacher friend of mine, Jack, recently recounted an experience he had while ministering in Japan, where the Lord deeply impressed upon him this scripture:
“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still [defeat/silence] the enemy and the avenger” (Ps 8:2).
1. Enemies Defeated
He was instructing the church leaders in Japan on how the Lord employs the praises of infants to overcome His adversaries (refer to Matthew 21:16).
It seems that God finds joy in humbling Satan by utilizing the most vulnerable among His creation—us, His little ones, His children—to silence (defeat) the enemy and the accuser.
While Jack was returning home from Japan, the Lord revealed a vision to him. He witnessed a group of children joyfully leading a flock of bleating, defenseless sheep as they praised and celebrated God.
As Jack meditated on this, the Lord spoke to him and said,
“I have chosen the symbol of lambs and sheep to represent my people because they are symbols of weakness and have no ability to lead or save themselves. But I am going to take a bunch of praising children who are leading a flock of bleating sheep and use them to utterly vanquish Satan, to defeat him at every turn of events.”
I believe Jack is right. God uses the weak to destroy His enemies. That means He can use you and me.
B. THE PEOPLE GOD CHOOSES
I am often astonished by the people God chooses to do particular jobs.
1.Paul
For instance, God chose to send Paul to minister among the uncultured pagan Gentiles. Paul had received his education in the Scriptures under Gamaliel, a prominent teacher among the Pharisees.
As a prospective member of the Sanhedrin—a distinguished Jewish council responsible for interpreting religious laws in Israel—Paul was required to memorize and accurately recite the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Pentateuch.
He was a Jew of significant standing and accomplishments. From a human perspective, he seemed ideally suited for the role of evangelizing to Jews. However, God’s assignment for Paul was to reach out not to the cultured Jewish community, but to the marginalized and uneducated Gentiles.
These Gentiles had little regard for Paul’s extensive knowledge and his expertise in Jewish law. Consequently, all of Paul’s natural strengths, including his education, intelligence, and talents, had to be set aside.
God needed to humble him, leading him to the desert of Arabia—similar to how He did with Moses—where Paul would be stripped of everything he might have taken pride in (refer to Galatians 1:17; Philippians 3:4-8).
In the “…howling waste wilderness, that land of deserts, pits, drought, and the shadow of death where no man traveled or lived…” (Jeremiah 2:6),
Paul discovered that his success as a minister of Christ depended on relinquishing “all that was gain — to consider it loss — in order to gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7,8).
He learned to share the gospel “…not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).
To persuade others that Jesus was their Savior, Paul relied more on the Spirit’s miracles working through him than on his own skills as an orator or preacher (1 Corinthians 10:4; 2 Corinthians 10:10). We should adopt the same approach.
2. Peter
Though Peter opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 10), he remained in Jerusalem among the most elite Jews of the Roman empire as “the apostle to the Jews”
(see Galatians 2:8). What qualified Peter for this task? Certainly not great academic
achievement or education. The Bible describes him as “… unlearned and ignorant “(Acts 4:13). He was but a simple fisherman, yet God qualified him for the job by the power of the Holy Spirit.
C. TURN WEAKNESS TO BLESSING
“He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might… he increases strength” (Isa 40:29).
Once, there was a blind man and a man who could not walk, and they formed an unbreakable bond. What united them?
The man who could not walk had perfect vision, while the blind man had strong legs but lacked sight. To overcome their challenges, the cripple offered his ability to see in exchange for the blind man’s ability to walk.
The blind man would carry him on his back, and the cripple would guide him, directing their path and alerting him to obstacles that might cause him to trip. Their shared vulnerabilities and interdependence allowed them to utilize each other’s strengths, forging a deep friendship.
1. Depend More On God
Similarly, our spiritual shortcomings and limitations should encourage us to cultivate a prayerful and dependent relationship with God, allowing His strength to fill our weaknesses.
The hymn writer said it beautifully:
His strength is made perfect in weakness.
His power is not for the strong.
He giveth more grace
To the weak in the race.
His strength is made perfect in weakness.
Our personal weaknesses, which highlight our limitations as potential leaders, should lead us to seek God through prayer (and sometimes fasting).
When we approach Him in this manner, we will discover that “He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might… he increases strength” (Isa 40:29).
A posture of reliance on God not only captivates His attention but also invites Him to powerfully work through us.
Our shortcomings can be viewed as hidden blessings when they drive us closer to Christ. Conversely, if we dwell in self-pity or self-loathing, endlessly searching within ourselves for answers, we will only find a sense of inferiority.
2. Confess The Word
Psychologists refer to “an inferiority complex” as a deep-seated focus on ourselves, often manifesting as self-consciousness. This mindset can foster a perception of oneself characterized by thoughts like, “I’m worthless! I’m just a failure… God could never find a purpose for me.” Such a negative self-image can lead to overwhelming feelings of discouragement.
I heard Billy Graham (most famous evangelist in history) say, “God can never use a discouraged servant.”
This is true! We must overcome such attitudes by the word of our confession (Rev 12:11).
By saying about ourselves what the Bible says about us, we are made over-comers.
the Bible says,
“I can do all things though Christ who strengthens [empowers, enables] me “(Phil 4:13).
” Behold I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).
Through our God – -we shall do valiantly.
It is He – Who shall tread down our enemies.
We will sing – and shout the victory.
Christ is King! Christ is King!
We must not confuse an inferiority complex with the scriptural meekness that God blesses. It is not the same thing.
3. Draw Near In Prayer
The type of weakness that draws God’s response is one that fosters a deep sense of reliance on Him.
When we pray, “I need you, O God, and cannot navigate life without you,” we invite God to act on our behalf. We become like King David, who expressed,
“… my soul longs for you, O God” (Ps 63:1; 84:2).
This awareness of our needs is essential for nurturing a vibrant devotional and prayer life; it is how it should be, don’t you think?
On the other hand, an overwhelming sense of self-awareness can immobilize us, creating a barrier that obstructs God’s power from flowing through us. It’s crucial to reject this kind of worldly mindset and turn away from it. Acknowledge that God is your source of strength, and there is no need for fear (Ps 27:1).
He will reveal His strength for those who hold Him in reverence, worship Him, and lean on Him.
4. Exchange Your Strength For His Strength
“Even youth shall faint and be weary, young men shall utterly fail; but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew [exchange] their strength” (Isa 40:30,31).
What does the Lord ask us to do before He will “exchange” strength with us?
The pivotal term in this verse is “renew,” which might be more accurately rendered as “exchange.” When we wait on the Lord, He will strip away our own strength and replace it with His.
This process does not involve merging our strength with His; rather, it entails a total surrender of our strength to embrace His. God is essentially saying, “If you are self-reliant, I cannot utilize you. If you can manage on your own, you don’t require Me.” What must we do for the Lord to “exchange” our strength for His?
a. Acknowledge Your Need.
King David wrote,
“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles”‘ (Ps 34:6).
Asaph acknowledged his weakness and need of God in these stirring words: “So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was like a beast before thee ” (Ps 73:22).
Both David and Asaph received God’s strength because they were willing to humbly acknowledge their need and weakness. There is a powerful word of promise for all who will do the same thing.
“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
“I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; 1 will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
“… That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this… ” (Isa 41:17-20).
1) Paul – An Example.
Paul found that if he would acknowledge areas of need and weakness in his life, it would result in the strength of God coming to him in more powerful measure.
He writes, “Lest I should be exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations, there was given unto me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me…. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me “(2Cor 12:7,8).
And how did the Lord answer Paul’s petition for relief from this buffeting and weakness? “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect [complete] in
[your] weakness “(vs 9).Now you can understand why Paul says:
“Most gladly therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities [weaknesses], that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, 1 take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake. For, when I am weak, then I am strong” (2Cor 12:9,10).
This is the fundamental principle behind the power of the gospel. When we find ourselves in weakness and recognize our deep need for God, we become entirely reliant on Him.
This drives us to devote significant time to prayer. What’s the outcome? We become strong!
D. LEARN TO WAIT ON GOD
“They that wait upon the Lord will ‘exchange’ strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa40:31).
1. Two Concepts
What does the Bible mean when it says to “… wait upon the Lord? ” There are two concepts involved in “waiting upon the Lord. ” These are:
a. Waiting For God’s Time .
That is, take no major action until God shows you it is time to act.
b. Waiting In Prayer And Fasting.
To spend time prayerfully in God’s presence in devotional exercises, sometimes involving fasting as well as prayer.
2. Waiting God’s Time
May I share my personal testimony with you? The Lord called me to His service in 1948, at age 16.1 was born again and filled with the Holy Spirit but didn’t understand the need to fully surrender my will and plans to the Lord.
The “deeper life” of Christian commitment had little appeal to me. I had already decided what I was going to do with my life and being a preacher had no part in that plan.
Could I share my personal story with you?
In 1948, at the age of 16, I received a calling from the Lord to serve Him. I had been born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, yet I didn’t fully grasp the importance of surrendering my own desires and plans to Him. The concept of a “deeper life” in Christian commitment didn’t resonate with me; I had already mapped out my future, and becoming a preacher wasn’t part of that vision.
However, during the summer of 1948, I felt the Lord’s presence strongly in my life. I experienced events that compelled me to pray fervently, often lying on the floor in tears. In those moments, I found myself earnestly seeking God. Looking back,
I realize that many of those tears were a reflection of my resistance to His will. I wanted to follow my path, while God had His own plan for me. This struggle between my desires and God’s purpose led to a profound internal battle—one that required the surrender of my own will. After three months of this intense spiritual turmoil,
I finally yielded my life to follow God’s calling. He wanted me to go into all the world and share the gospel.
a. Let’s Go Now!
When I finally surrendered to the will of God, I told the Lord, “I’ll go wherever you send me, dear Lord.
I’ll speak the words you want me to speak, and I’ll become who you want me to be.” With this complete submission of my will to His, I was ready to act—immediately! I felt a pressing urgency. “Let’s go, God! Right now! I’m ready! The time is short! We’re in the Nuclear Age! The world is nearing its end! I’m prepared to evangelize the entire world—if I have to, on my own.” In my youthful zeal and optimism (not to mention my ignorance),
I envisioned myself as an instant “worldwide winner” for the faith. My perspective was shaped by the teachings of my church, where leaders frequently stressed the imminent return of our Lord. The Second Coming of Jesus was a constant theme from the pulpit, whether from our local pastor or visiting evangelists. I truly believed that Jesus would return at any moment.
I recall a survey conducted during a Sunday School class for teenagers in the summer of 1948, where we were asked, “How long do you think it will be before the Lord comes again?” No one in that group of 50 teenagers imagined that the Lord would delay His coming beyond 1950.
The aftereffects of World War II were still fresh, tensions were escalating in Korea, and the dread of nuclear warfare loomed large. I felt compelled to believe that whatever God intended to accomplish had to happen right away.
There was no time to waste. Armed with a mission to evangelize the world and only two years to achieve it, I needed to act without delay! But what was God’s response to my deep sense of urgency?
b. Learn To Wait!
I came to understand that regardless of how I interpreted the events of the world or my own feelings of urgency, God operates on His timeline, not mine. When you’re eager to take action, waiting can feel incredibly difficult. Although I had received a calling to preach,
I wasn’t properly prepared for it. God’s call and His commissioning are two distinct matters. Back in 1948, I was consumed with concern over the state of the world, but God remained unfazed. He had already designed my training and preparation plan. My anxiety and impatience didn’t influence Him to alter His timeline by even a minute.
At the time, I didn’t realize I was attempting to engage in the battle using my own strength. God, however, understood that I would have faced destruction if I ventured out untrained. So, He made me wait until I had acquired the necessary skills and experience. During those years of waiting on the Lord, I discovered that I must never exceed or fall short of the guidance provided by God’s Word (Num 22:18).
c. God Controls The Time .
The Bible says, “…When the fullness of time was come. God sent forth his Son… ” (Gal 4:4). God controls the times and seasons. He had a time to send Jesus into the world. He has a time for all things. Wait for God’s time. Don’t get ahead and don’t lag behind. Wait upon the Lord. He will reveal His time to you.
The times and seasons are in the Father’s own power (Acts 1:7). Let us learn to wait patiently on Him. He will reveal the times and seasons to us when we need to know them.
3. Waiting In Prayer And Fasting
“Let not them that wait upon thee …be ashamed …let not those that seek thee be confounded… “(Ps 69:6).
If we are to “exchange” our limited strength for His unlimited power, we must establish a consistent daily devotional habit. Disciplining oneself to times of regular prayer (and fasting) is one of the most difficult things for most church leaders to do. The pressure of daily schedules and activities tend to rob us of these essential devotional times with the Lord.
a. How Do Daily Devotional Times Help?
Conduct this simple experiment. Take a pitcher and fill it to the very brim with water, ensuring it’s so full that any additional drop would cause it to overflow.
Now, begin adding stones that are roughly the size of your hand. What happens? Each stone you drop into the pitcher displaces an equal amount of water, causing it to spill over. This is akin to how we exchange our own strength for God’s.
Our lives are initially filled with the water of our own capabilities. However, as we dedicate time to prayer, God starts adding His stones of strength and power.
These stones of grace push out the water representing negative, unbelieving attitudes, while the stones of dependence on the Lord displace the stagnant water of self-sufficiency.
As His divine enablements fill our lives, our feelings of powerlessness are transformed into His strength.
How can I cause God’s strength to fill my life? It is a natural-supernatural process.
If you spend daily time in prayer it will be like the growing-up process. A child does not grow up and become strong by thinking about it or trying to force himself to grow up. It is a natural process that happens as a result of proper diet and exercise.
Similarly, if a church leader dedicates time each day to reading the Bible and praying, this spiritual nourishment will foster the development of God’s strength within him.
The process of exchanging personal strength for His will occur steadily and progressively.
b. How Should I Conduct My Devotional Time?
1) Confess Your Sins.Begin by asking the Lord to help you remember any unconfessed sins. Acknowledge these sins before God, seeking His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9,10).
2) Praise the Lord. Take a moment to express your gratitude and praise to God for His nature and the deeds He has accomplished (Psalm 100).
3) Surrender Your Day to God. Communicate to God your reliance on His guidance and direction. Request His leading and commit to following any instructions you believe He shares with you during this time of prayer.
4) Intercede for Family, Church, and Believers. Pray for your spouse, children, and other family members. Lift up your church community and its leaders. Remember believers across the globe, including orphans and widows who may be without family support.
5) Pray for Leaders, Missionaries, and Evangelism. Pray for your nation’s leaders as well as your spiritual leaders. Consider the tribes and language groups in your region that have yet to encounter the gospel. Pray for missionaries and the evangelization efforts in other countries.
6) Pray in Other Languages. As you pray, allow the Holy Spirit to work within you, leading you to pray in other tongues (languages) and seek the interpretation of these prayers (1 Corinthians 14:13,14).
7) Document and Act on What the Lord Reveals to You. Write down any insights or impressions you receive from the Lord during your prayer time. Take proactive steps to act on whatever God places on your heart in these moments of connection.
c. How Do Trials Help Us?
Peter warned us,
“…think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to test you, as though some strange thing happened unto you ” (I Pet 4:12).
A wise, elderly minister once shared with me, “Brother Ralph, whenever you strive to deepen your relationship with God, the world will stand against you.
As you seek to grow closer to Him, your sinful nature will push back. And when you aim to elevate your walk with God, the spiritual forces of darkness will confront you.”
Nowhere do we face more resistance than when we commit to a daily time of devotion to wait on the Lord. If you earnestly pursue the presence of God, be prepared for challenges and trials—they often arise. It is reassuring to remember that through those trials and tribulations,
“God brings everything together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, RSV). As we seek God’s presence, He ignites the flames of tests, trials, and temptations, causing our lives to intensify.
Once we reach that “boiling point,” two outcomes will emerge:
1) Sin And Self Are Purged Away.
2) God’s Power Begins Working In Us.
God’s power begins to manifest in us and through us, leading to remarkable supernatural outcomes. Consider a pot of water placed over a flame; eventually, the water will reach its boiling point.
No amount of watching, stirring, or ignoring the pot can speed up or delay this process. Boiling occurs solely because of the heat applied, not due to any action from the water itself.
Similarly, when we endure the trials and tribulations of life, transformative changes take place within us—without any effort on our part.
These changes are the natural result of God’s heat acting upon our human nature. We undergo inner transformation, our motives are refined, and our desires to sin are diminished.
“Whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin ” (1 Pet 4:1).
Yes, it is true,
“…they that wait [for His appointed time with prayer and fasting] upon the Lord will exchange their strength for his. ”
