I AM JUST ONE PERSON, AND I HAVE MANY WEAKNESSES AND IMPERFECTIONS. CAN GOD USE ME ANYWAY?
by Shawn Brasseaux
“How in the world could God possibly use me?” “I am a homemaker with no secondary education.” “I stutter and I am forgetful.” “I am too poor to do anything for God.” “How could I possibly share Bible verses with others when I have no seminary training?” “I am too old and too tired to serve the Lord.” “My memory is poor and I am shy.” “I am physically impaired, and I cannot travel around the world as a missionary.” Do you have limitations, weaknesses, and disabilities? Then, you qualify for service for the Lord Jesus Christ!
The LORD appeared to Moses and informed him that He will use him to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. Moses replied, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue” (Exodus 4:10). Pharaoh’s daughter had raised Moses, but God could not use him in that state. After 40 years of herding stinky sheep in the desert, the LORD called for Moses out of the burning bush. Moses rarely spoke to people every day while out in the wilderness, and he may have had additional speech impediments (some suggest he stuttered). Now, Moses was a “nobody,” so God could—and did—use him to deliver His people from Egypt, a mighty world empire in those days.
Centuries later, the Midianites persecuted Israel, so God informed Gideon that He would use him to deliver Israel. Gideon argued, “Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15). An angel reassured lowly Gideon, “The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour” (verse 12). You can read about Gideon’s military victories over the Midianites in Judges chapters 7 and 8. God used him to save Israel out of enemy hands and the land had rest for 40 years (Judges 8:28).
Centuries later, the Philistine giant Goliath taunted Israel, but her armies are no match for him. Little David, a lowly shepherd boy, nevertheless had faith that the LORD would give him the strength to slay Goliath, which he did using one rock and a sling (1 Samuel 17:50). David, the “nobody” that he was, grew up and became the greatest king Israel ever had!
Centuries later, God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn apostate Israel, but Jeremiah refuted, “Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (1:6). This “child,” whose age Scripture withholds, still went on to become a mighty spokesman for God before and during the Babylonian captivity of Judah.
Centuries later, when the Lord Jesus Christ needed apostles to convert Israel, He chose four fisherman, brothers Simon Peter and Andrew, and brothers James and John (Mark 1:16-20). Peter and John are later referred to as “unlearned and ignorant men” (Acts 4:13). These four non-seminary graduates, uneducated fishermen, were mighty vessels of God who led thousands of Jews to faith in Jesus as Messiah during the Acts period.
The Apostle Paul carried out his ministry with infirmities/sicknesses/weaknesses. The Bible says about Paul, “[7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Galatians 4:13 says, “Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.” Paul had to stay in Galatia because he was sick, and yet, that delay gave him opportunity to see people in Galatia saved and learn sound Bible doctrine!
God will oftentimes use for His purposes those people we would never expect Him to utilize. This could not be said any plainer than what we read in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31: “[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence. [30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: [31] That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
If you, dear Christian, doubt that the Lord can use you because of your disabilities, social status, weaknesses, age, or education, just remember Moses’ speech impediment, Gideon’s poverty, David and Jeremiah’s juvenility, Peter and John’s ignorance, and Paul’s infirmities. God used them—people who did not seem like much—for His glory. What made the difference was not their strengths, but the Almighty God who worked in and through them. “That no flesh should glory in [God’s] presence” (1 Corinthians 1:29). 🙂
Also see:
» What is God’s will for my life? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» I have recently trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. Now what? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» What should I do when I sin? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
