When the Holy Spirt Called Me
When the Holy Spirt arrived to inform me that I would be a witness (preacher), I must admit to not understanding what I was hearing. I was a sinner, not in church, and glad to be wallowing in the mud like a pig! From 1997 until late 2003, I resisted but this was futile because who can wrestle with the Lord God and win?
When God calls someone to a mighty work, the response is not always immediate obedience. The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who, when faced with a divine calling, responded with shock, hesitation, or even outright resistance. These stories remind us of the humanity of even the greatest biblical figures and the ways in which God’s call can challenge our faith, courage, and understanding. Below are 18 examples of such responses, showing how God works through human doubts and fears to fulfill His plans.
1. Moses Resisted God at the Burning Bush
When God called Moses from the burning bush to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses was filled with doubt and hesitation. He questioned his own worthiness, asking, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?" (Exodus 3:11). His concern about his speaking abilities further fueled his reluctance, and he pleaded with God to send someone else (Exodus 4:10-13). Yet, despite his fears, Moses ultimately accepted the task, becoming one of the greatest leaders in biblical history.
2. Gideon’s Call to Defeat the Midianites
Gideon was called by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites, but his initial reaction was one of doubt and disbelief. He questioned God’s presence with Israel, asking why they had been allowed to suffer if God was truly with them. Gideon also felt inadequate for the task, pointing out that his clan was the weakest in Manasseh, and he was the least in his family (Judges 6:15). After seeking multiple signs from God, Gideon finally accepted his role and led Israel to victory.
3. Jonah’s Flight from Nineveh
Jonah’s story is a well-known example of resistance to God’s call. When God instructed him to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness, Jonah’s response was to flee in the opposite direction. He boarded a ship to Tarshish, attempting to escape the mission altogether (Jonah 1:1-3). Jonah’s reluctance led to a series of dramatic events, including being swallowed by a great fish, before he finally obeyed God’s command.
4. Jeremiah’s Reluctance as a Child Prophet
Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet to the nations, but his initial response was one of fear and reluctance. He expressed his insecurity by saying, "Alas, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am too young" (Jeremiah 1:6). Despite his fears, God reassured Jeremiah, promising to be with him and protect him as he carried out his prophetic duties.
5. Isaiah’s Overwhelming Vision
Isaiah’s calling came in the form of a vision of the Lord, where he was overwhelmed by his own unworthiness. He cried out, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5). Despite his initial shock, Isaiah responded to God’s call with willingness after his lips were purified, saying, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).
6. Ananias’s Fear of Saul
Ananias was called by God to go to Saul (later Paul) and lay hands on him to restore his sight. However, Ananias hesitated because of Saul’s notorious reputation for persecuting Christians. He expressed his concern to God, saying, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem" (Acts 9:13). Despite his fears, Ananias obeyed, playing a crucial role in Saul’s conversion.
7. Sarah’s Laughter at God’s Promise
When God promised Abraham that his wife Sarah would bear a son in her old age, Sarah’s initial response was one of disbelief. She laughed at the idea, questioning how such a thing could happen when she was well past childbearing age (Genesis 18:12). Despite her doubt, God’s promise was fulfilled, and Sarah gave birth to Isaac, the child of promise.
8. Elijah’s Flight from Jezebel
After his victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah was threatened by Queen Jezebel and fled into the wilderness out of fear for his life. Overwhelmed and discouraged, Elijah even prayed for God to take his life, saying, "I have had enough, Lord. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors" (1 Kings 19:4). Despite his despair, God provided for Elijah and encouraged him to continue his prophetic mission.
9. Zacharias’s Doubt Regarding John’s Birth
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias to announce that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son, Zacharias responded with doubt due to their advanced age. He questioned how this could be possible, asking, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years" (Luke 1:18). As a result of his skepticism, Zacharias was struck mute until the prophecy was fulfilled with the birth of John the Baptist.
10. Mary’s Astonishment at the Angel's Message
When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive and bear a son, Jesus, her initial reaction was one of astonishment and confusion. She asked, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34). Despite her initial shock, Mary accepted the call with faith, saying, "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled" (Luke 1:38).
11. Peter’s Reluctance After the Miraculous Catch
After witnessing a miraculous catch of fish orchestrated by Jesus, Peter was overwhelmed by a sense of his own unworthiness. He fell at Jesus’ knees and said, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" (Luke 5:8). Despite his initial reluctance, Peter heeded Jesus’ call to follow Him, becoming one of His closest disciples.
12. Thomas’s Doubt About the Resurrection
Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, was not present when Jesus first appeared to the others after His resurrection. When told of the event, Thomas doubted their report and insisted that he would not believe unless he could see and touch Jesus’ wounds himself (John 20:25). Jesus later appeared to Thomas, addressing his doubts and reaffirming his faith.
13. Esther’s Fear of Approaching the King
Esther was called upon to approach King Xerxes to plead for the lives of her people, the Jews, who were under threat of annihilation. However, she initially hesitated because approaching the king without being summoned could result in death. Esther expressed her fear to her cousin Mordecai, acknowledging the risk involved (Esther 4:11). She ultimately decided to take the risk, saying, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16), and played a pivotal role in saving her people.
14. Samuel’s Fear of Anointing David
God instructed Samuel to anoint a new king from among the sons of Jesse, to replace Saul. However, Samuel was initially fearful of Saul’s reaction, saying, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me" (1 Samuel 16:2). God provided Samuel with a plan to avoid suspicion, and Samuel faithfully carried out God’s command, anointing David as the future king of Israel.
15. Amos’s Humility in His Calling
Amos, who was a sheepbreeder and tender of sycamore fruit, was called by God to prophesy against Israel, God's nation of promise. Amos expressed reluctance and humility, pointing out that he was not a professional prophet or the son of a prophet (Amos 7:14). Despite his initial hesitation due to his background, Amos obeyed God’s call and delivered powerful messages of judgment and repentance to Israel.
16. Ezekiel’s Reluctance to Prophesy to a Rebellious Nation
Ezekiel was called to be a prophet to the Israelites, who were described as a rebellious and stubborn nation. Although the Bible doesn’t explicitly record Ezekiel’s hesitation, the daunting nature of his task suggests a challenging mission. God acknowledged the difficulty of Ezekiel’s calling and reassured him not to be afraid of the people's words or actions, as He would be with him throughout (Ezekiel 2:6).
17. Jeremiah’s Struggles with His Prophetic Mission
Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," struggled deeply with his calling to prophesy to the people of Judah. He expressed feelings of being deceived and overpowered by God, lamenting the derision he faced daily (Jeremiah 20:7). At one point, Jeremiah even considered giving up his mission but found that God’s word was like a "fire shut up in [his] bones," compelling him to continue despite his despair (Jeremiah 20:9).
Conclusion
These 18 examples from the Bible illustrate that even the most faithful and devoted individuals often experience shock, hesitation, or resistance when faced with something eternally overwhelming. However, remember that God is not asking you to perform in your own strength rather to simply show up in His.