Spring 1993

His Enabling Power in our Lives
Nancy Warner

The Lord had just revealed Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham (faith),Isaac (promise), and Jacob (change) when the call of God came to him to become one with the Lord in His intention to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. Moses responded by saying "Who am I?"

This call revealed to Moses the very heart and intention of the Lord concerning His people, along with the means to bring about their deliverance, "I have heard their cry ... I am come down to deliver them ... come now therefore, and I will send thee." Not only did Moses receive a call, he was given Divine enablement for its fulfillment, "Certainly, I will be with thee." (Exodus3:7-12).

No wonder God was angry with his response. Instead of being thankful for the call of God upon his life, Moses asked the Lord to choose another (Exodus4:13). Rather than responding to the Lord and to His abiding and enabling presence, Moses continued to look at himself.

Paul said, "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 ... now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God" I Cor 2:4-5, 12.

When the earth was without form and void, the Spirit of God moved and God said, "Let there be light, and there was light." All of creation was formed by the spoken Word of the Lord. This spoken Word was all that was necessary to bring forth all that was necessary for the world to take on shape and meaning. Now, all things are upheld by the Word of His power.

This same "creative energy" is released into a life when the Lord speaks His call into that life. This creative Word, when we say yes to it, through the power of the Holy Spirit, imparts within us all that is necessary for the fulfilling of His purpose. As we spend time in His presence, waiting upon Him and saying "yes" to His will, we become the channel through which this power will flow out to meet the need.

Sarah, in Hebrews 11:11, through faith, received strength to conceive. Romans4:21 tells us that Abraham was persuaded that what God had promised, He was also able to perform. Our faith must stand in the power of God. As we believe, we receive strength not only to conceive that which has been promised, but for its total fulfillment in our lives. The Word mixed with faith will profit those who allow it to become operative.

Once we are persuaded that we are in the will of God, then "in faith" we must do that which our position requires, looking to God for His Divine enablement to complete each task. Often, this ability will not come (be manifested) until the time it is necessary. Until then, we are to walk "in faith" in anticipation of all He will do.

Recently, I was asked to do something I had never done before. I knew that I was pastoring under the call of God on my life. I knew that as a pastor, this was my responsibility, so I said "yes" with a confidence and boldness I otherwise would not have had. "For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" Heb 13:5b-6.

As I said yes, I realized that just a few days prior, I had been given a gift which helped to equip me for this very task. This gift might have been given long before, but it came when the need arose. How timely God is in all His provisions.

The just live by faith in His faithfulness. The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. Each experience I have builds a little more faith within me, in preparation for the next thing I am to believe for. As I experience, step by step, the faithfulness of God, I am being equipped to walk a life of faith.

Our faith must rest in the power of God. We must remember how dependent we are, and in our successes not forget that it was His enabling power, not we ourselves that has brought each victory.

"When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God ... but thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth" Deut 8:10-11a,18a.

As we turn aside to stand in the place of hearing and wait in God's presence, He strengthens us, He shares His heart, and as we become joined with Him in His burden, we receive an understanding of who He is, and of His plan and purpose for our lives and in the earth, along with an invitation to become a part, together with Him, in its outworking.

As we first come to Him, and then as He sends us forth with His presence imparted into our very being ("Come, my beloved, let us go" SS 8:11), we can step forth boldly in His calling, knowing that it is His power that enables us("The Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works" John 14:10b).

God is faithful in all His provisions. "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" Deut 31:6.

"I have been young and now I am old. Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread" Psalm 37:25.

"For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation. This is My rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I made the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed" Psalm132:13-17

All that we have need of is in The presence of the Lord and in His Word of promise to us. We can trust our Lives in His hand, and the outworking of His purposes through us.