by: Dr. Allen Domelle
Matthew 10:1
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
One thing the Christian must always remember is that God never asks you to do something that He doesn’t give you the wherewithal to do it. If God calls, He equips. God has never called someone to do something without giving them the necessary resources to do it. In over three decades of obeying the call of God on my life, I can testify that God has always given me the ability to do what He asks me to do.
In the verse above, Jesus called the disciples. After calling them, He then told them how He equipped them to fulfill this calling. What you need to understand is that God had already equipped them before they were called, He was just informing them of the resources He gave them if they obeyed the call. There are five things with which God equips a person who obeys His call.
First, God enables you with His power. The verse above says, “…he gave them power…” If you yield to God’s call for your life, He will give you the power you need to perform that call through the power of the Holy Spirit. You don’t have to fulfill the call of God alone. He gives you the power of His Holy Spirit to help you as you obey your calling.
Second, God stands with you in times of trial. God gave them power to “…heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” When hardships come, and they will, He has already given you the power to withstand those trials. You might have to face sickness and disease, but you have all power to overcome them. You don’t have to let sickness or trials defeat you because God has empowered you to overcome them.
Third, God gives you the power to overcome outside attacks. God “…gave them power against unclean spirits…” Not only do you have the power to overcome attacks from within, but you also have the power to overcome the powers from without. When those without try to hurt you, God is there to help you to overcome their destructive power. Just like God was there to help the three Hebrew children when they faced the fiery furnace, you will have the same presence to help you as you obey His call.
Fourth, God gives you the wisdom to confound the enemy. In verse 19, when the enemy tries to destroy you, God will give you the words you need to say. You may feel that you are not eloquent enough, but God’s wisdom will be there to help you in those times when you feel inadequate to speak.
Fifth, God rewards you for your work. Verse 15 makes it clear that one day you will see the fruits of your labor. We often hear how people gave something up to serve the LORD, but my response is that you never give up anything to serve Him. God will not be a debtor to you. Your rewards may not be realized on this Earth, but you will see those rewards at the Judgment Seat.
Christian, you are never alone when you obey the call of God. God has called you to do something. Find what God has called you to do and do it. You may feel that you are inadequate, but these verses prove that He has already equipped you to fulfill your calling if you will obey.