God uses the most unlikely people
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| Miniature ofrom Folio 8r of the Syriac Bible of Paris shows Moses before Pharaoh. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
“And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”
Acts 9:5–9
Sometimes God uses the most unlikely of people to accomplish his mission. This is a common theme throughout the Bible.
God called out to Moses and told him to confront the most powerful man in the world at that time, Pharaoh, who was enslaving God’s people. Moses had a big problem. He was a nobody, and he couldn’t speak well. But God promised to be with him.
God told Joshua to lead his people into the promise land. There was a big problem, though: the people who lived there were very wicked and quite intimidating. The Israelites didn’t really have a track record of being courageous and faithful; they were complainers and idolatrous. But God promised to be with him.
Gideon was a weak man from a weak family and people. God came to him and called him out to lead the effort against the Midianites who were oppressing God’s people. Gideon was not a mighty warrior; in fact, he was a nobody. But God promised to be with him.
God loves to use the most unlikely of people to get his job done.
We see that again in today’s text. Why would God want to use Paul? He was the number-one persecutor of the church. God loves to use people that we don’t expect, because through such individuals we’re convinced that it’s his power at work and nothing else. So we give him the glory, instead of seeking it for ourselves.
Read
“Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
1 Corinthians 1:20–25
- What does this verse say about God using unlikely people?
- Were Moses, Joshua, Gideon, or Paul wise or significant in the world’s eyes?
- Have you seen God use unlikely people in your life?
Prayer
Father, thank you that you use “nobodies” like us. We want your power and wisdom to shine through us. We want to make you famous by relying on your strength, not ours. May the world see that. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Father, thank you that you use “nobodies” like us. We want your power and wisdom to shine through us. We want to make you famous by relying on your strength, not ours. May the world see that. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
