EMPOWERED TO EXCEL

"And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” – Exodus 31:3a

God’s people are EMPOWERED to EXCEL: "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” (Exo.31:3). God is the Architect of architects, Designer of destinies, and Ultimate Master Planner. We often view our professional skills, talents, or daily tasks as “secular” and separate from our spiritual lives. Exodus 31 shatters this dichotomy. When God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle, He did not just give a blueprint; He provided the people and the power to execute it. Bezalel and Oholiab were not chosen just for their natural aptitude; they were filled with God’s Spirit to turn raw materials into exquisite, holy vessels.

Divine Power is not solely for teaching, preaching or miracles; it is available for artistry, craftsmanship, creativity, management, and other forms of competence and skill. God’s Spirit fills us with divine wisdom to comprehend complexities, understanding to master processes, and knowledge to execute with efficiency, effectiveness, and excellence. When skills are anointed, they turn ordinary work into divine service. We who believe are empowered to perform beyond natural limitations. Today’s meditation passage highlights God’s strategies of: divine selection, empowerment, purposeful creativity, and collaborative anointing.

God divinely selects and calls people by name to specific tasks (vv.1-2). Each of our workplaces is our mission field, and our expertise is an appointed assignment. Selection is followed by the Spirit’s empowerment and enablement – wisdom, understanding, and knowledge – for skilful craftsmanship (v.3). Purposeful Creativity implies that the varied skills – working with gold, stone, wood – were not for personal aggrandizement, but to create artistic, innovative, excellent work for God's Glory (vv.4-5). Even so, it was a collaborative anointing as God appointed helpers (v.6). Divine Performance often involves teamwork where diverse, gifted people collaborate for a shared, holy purpose.

Verse 11 describes Absolute Obedience: “According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.” True Divine Performance aligns with God's design. Excellence is doing the right work in the right way. Let’s stop separating secular from sacred. Whether as a cleaner, teacher, or mechanic, we must ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with wisdom to do our job excellently as a sacrifice of worship. Let’s depend more on the Holy Spirit, than our talent. To innovate and achieve breakthroughs, we need more than experience; we need the Spirit’s input. Yet, we must hone our craft. Empowerment does not replace diligence. Bezalel was skilled before he was filled. The Spirit will enhance nurtured talents!

In Jesus’ name, I declare that:

I am empowered by God’s Spirit to operate with superior skill and wisdom. My hands are anointed to produce excellent, God-glorifying work.

I carry divine creativity, to find innovative solutions to complex problems. I will not labour in vain; my work will produce high-quality results.

In the Bezaleel order of Wisdom, I will master every craft assigned to my charge. I will not be weary, for the Lord is renewing my capacity.

I receive understanding and knowledge to excel above my peers. I am connected to the right partners and helpers to fulfill my divine mandate.