God: Can He use me?
The short answer is yes. He certainly can! He can use anyone. But let’s talk about this.
I Corinthians 1:25-27
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
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; [Emphasis added]
One thing this passage is telling us is that the people we’d tend to think He’d use may not be the ones actually used by God. God is not impressed with human ability. From all that we see in the Bible, it’s the people of faith that God approves and uses mightily. Just look at Hebrews 11 where we see a list of His “hall of famers.”
Hebrews 11:1-11
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Then these comments are followed by quite a list of God’s heroes of the faith.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Then please pay special attention to what the author of Hebrews says in this next verse.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
That’s plainly spoken, isn’t it? Nothing about talent or human ability here! It looks to me like it’s all about faith. But faith in what? The Lord, of course. But how do we do that today. Answer: It’s all about faith in His Word, things He’s told us. And you can’t put faith in things you’ve never taken the time to learn. Is it too late? Of course not. You’re still breathing, aren’t you? You may have a little time left or a lot of time left. That’s always to a great extent an unknown factor to us. But whatever time you have left, wouldn’t it be wise to make the best of it?
The Hebrews passage we were just looking at is then followed by a list of other great people of the past. You’ll see that they all have one very important thing in common.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
We also have women mentioned in this passage.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. [Emphasis added]
Then we have many more such people listed. But please notice the thing that made them stand out to God. Also, please realize that though there are many listed here, such people are always in such a small minority. Such has always been the case. But faith in the Lord is the key factor. It was always their faith IN HIM and what He told them that made them the standouts. And that’s exactly the way it’ll be with us today.
Right now, you may look at your life situation and wonder how God could use you in some mighty way. But I assure you that much can be accomplished in a short time. The key to it all is to get on with it. Don’t waste your life and whatever time God gives you. Use what you have for His glory. If you will, it’s something you’ll never regret.
Moses was eighty years old when God called him into His service at the burning bush [Acts 7:23 cf. 7:30]. It is believed that Noah was over five hundred years old when God commissioned him to build the Ark. But all this is really not that important when looking at the question at hand. The point is that we all need to make the best of whatever time we have left. We need to make our last days our best days. Don’t we? Of course, we do! But as it is sometimes said, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” What are you going to do with it? Another old saying is relevant here—If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve been getting. So, here’s the question: What changes do you need to make in your life to make these years count the most? I believe that’s a question we all need to think about often.
Please let me remind you that we all have our imperfections. That was true about even the greatest people God ever used. Here are some examples.
Note what Moses told God.
Exodus 4:10-12
10 And Moses said unto the Lord, 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.
Then notice God’s point of view on this.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. [Emphasis added]
Centuries later we have the example of Gideon.
Judges 6:15
15 And he said unto him, 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. [Emphasis added]
But notice God’s point of view on this.
Judges 6:12
12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. [Emphasis added]
Centuries later we have the example of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 1:6-8
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
Then notice God’s point of view on this.
7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. [Emphasis added]
We could go on and on with this list. The pattern is the same repeatedly. God has heard all the excuses. We’re to learn from all these situations. It is a combination of one’s willingness and one’s faith in the Lord to provide what is necessary. What practical lessons we can learn about this from all these people!
Romans 15:4
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [Emphasis added]
While the whole army of Israel was ready to run for fear, a young shepherd boy ended up slaying a feared giant with a stone and a sling [I Samuel 17:50]. David, after numerous failures, ends up being the greatest king Israel ever had.
Later our Lord chooses Peter and John to be his personal assistants. They are referred to as “unlearned and ignorant men” [Acts 4:13]. The apostle Paul, probably the greatest of them all, carried out his mission with some serious physical infirmities.
II Corinthians 12:7-11
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.
11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. [Emphasis added]
The bottom line in Paul’s mind is clearly stated.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [Emphasis added]
Whatever the mission, God is faithful to provide us with all that’s necessary.
The Bible clearly shows us that God often uses for His purposes those people we might not ever expect Him to use. What a wonderful source of encouragement this proves to be!
I Corinthians 1:27-31
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. [Emphasis added]
If you doubt whether God can use you in some wonderful ways, always remember Moses’ speech impediment, Gideon’s poverty, David’s and Jeremiah’s youthful immaturity, Peter’s and John’s lack of formal education, and Paul’s frailty. These and the other heroes of the faith all had their natural inadequacies, but it didn’t stop them. A little faith in our Lord can go a long way. It was their confidence in the Lord that made a huge difference for them just as it can for you.
