When God builds your capacity 

Sunday Sermon with Apostle Chisale

GREETINGS beloved nation! In Luke 1:80, we read: “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.” 

The Bible is filled with great men and women who fulfilled God’s plans and purposes during their lives, primarily because they aligned themselves with His will and allowed Him to prepare them for their destinies. 

God takes His time in our preparation, as He is never in a rush until we are truly ready. A minister once remarked: “All people God uses significantly, He also prepares extensively.” Unfortunately, few are willing to endure the rigorous process of divine preparation. 

Our inherent impatience often gets the best of us as believers. We desire swift outcomes — whether it’s standing at a pulpit, launching our own ministry or entering marriage — all too quickly, without proper training and preparation. 

When God chooses to use us, He will work on building our capacity. Capacity refers to our ability to fulfil assignments given to us by God. He aims to equip us with the capabilities needed to achieve great things for His glory. 

Take John the Baptist, for example. The scriptures extensively detail his miraculous birth to a devout elderly couple who had fervently prayed for a child. An angel visited Zechariah, sharing that God had heard their prayers. On the day of John’s circumcision, his father prophesied, “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.” John’s destiny was to herald the coming Messiah and reintroduce prophecy after a 400-year silence. 

Yet, the Bible confirms in Luke 1:80, “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.” 

This implies a crucial process before the fulfilment of the prophecy. John had to mature spiritually to lead a life of faith and strength. 

His time in the desert — often seen as a harsh place — was key to God’s preparation, demonstrating that such seasons are often uncomfortable and challenging for believers. 

When God speaks a word into your life or ministry, He begins the journey of building your capacity, often stretching you to your limits. 

Regrettably, many believers seek to bypass or rush through this vital process and step into ministry before the appointed time. They want immediate results from prophetic words without undergoing the necessary preparation. However, God’s methods differ significantly. 

Consider Joseph in Genesis 37-47. Although favoured by Jacob and endowed with dreams of leadership, Joseph lacked the capacity necessary to rule Egypt. 

Following the revelation of his dreams, he faced a cascade of hardships. After being sold by his brothers, he became a slave in Potiphar’s house and eventually a prisoner. This period served as a divine crucible where God was shaping Joseph’s administrative skills, preparing him to lead. 

Remarkably, throughout his trials, Joseph never complained to God about his challenges, despite having a destiny as a great leader. Instead, his attitude remained aligned with God’s will, allowing him to endure the preparatory process until it was time for his emergence. Like John the Baptist, Joseph was kept hidden — unnoticed — while God diligently prepared him. 

God may lead you into wilderness-like seasons, hidden away until your time comes to shine. This doesn’t mean He is absent during those periods. Genesis 39:2 tells us, “God was with Joseph during this time of trials.” At times, God’s silence can be a powerful expression of His presence, a subject worthy of deeper exploration. 

Building capacity is often a painful journey filled with trials, stretching, pruning, and character refinement. God will test us, shaping our faith and inner character. 

The life of King David illustrates this beautifully. Anointed by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16, David faced tremendous hardship as Saul sought to kill him. In 1 Samuel 22, he had to hide in the cave of Adullam with four hundred who had followed him there. Even after being anointed, he waited seven long years before ascending the throne. 

This waiting period was essential for God to fully prepare him for leadership, ensuring that he acquired the character and qualities needed for the role. 

Many are appointed by God, but they must undergo a period of training to demonstrate they are fit for their calling. You cannot simply step into a role without first proving your readiness in God’s eyes and the eyes of men. 

As believers, I urge you to embrace the process of preparation. May God grant you sustaining grace during these formative seasons, as you will undoubtedly need the Holy Spirit’s support during your own wilderness times of capacity building. 

I invite anyone who wishes to receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour to believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that He is their Lord, and you shall be saved. 

May God bless you all!