Only Believe, Part 1

The Bible is full of examples of people who accomplished things for God—and every one of them had weaknesses. Whether being an orphan or a coward, each person had obstacles to overcome. But God didn’t care about their weaknesses. All He saw was a vessel that could hold His power and do “great exploits” (Daniel 11:32).

Let’s look at a few examples:

David:  The Baby of the Family

 Suggested Reading: 1 Samuel 16:6-13

David was the youngest child of the family and did a job that most of us wouldn’t dream of doing: watching sheep. Yet, despite his brothers’ strength and knowledge, David was the one whom God chose to be king of Israel. God told Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him [the other brother]. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, brackets added).

What looked impressive to man didn’t look impressive to God. Obviously, something was missing in the elder brothers’ hearts, for Samuel was told to move on each time they appeared. But David, while tending sheep faithfully and writing songs for God, gained favor because he was a man “after God’s own heart” (Acts 33:22).

Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:6-8)

If the God of the universe says that men should not despise our youth, then we shouldn’t despise our youth (2 Timothy 4:12). It’s an honor that God would choose us despite our age. He knows, because of our hearts’ condition, that we are a candidate for greatness!

 

Esther: A Jewish Orphan Queen

Suggested Reading: The Book of Esther

When the king of Persia wanted a new queen, Esther didn’t have a choice but to surrender to the king’s demands. She was going to the palace for beauty treatments whether she liked it or not. On her way to the virgin chambers, her uncle gave her strict instructions not to reveal her heritage. She wasn’t even supposed to use her real name. Her limitation? Her nationality.

This brave young woman was obedient to wisdom and followed all her uncle Mordecai’s instructions. As a result, she saved her people from a massacre. Had fear bound her, however, things would have turned out quite different. She wouldn’t have gone before the king unsummoned. She would have fled from the challenge of admitting her true lineage. She would have cowered when reporting an evil plot during what seemed a harmless dinner. The end would have been death for her and her countrymen.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”  (Isaiah 41:10).

Our ethnic background or social status doesn’t hinder God. We may be the minority in the world’s eyes, but God still wants to use us. He may ask us to do something that everyone else thinks is impossible. But if we take the limits off ourselves and God, miracles will happen. He’ll override every law, every situation, to see us succeed!

 

Gideon: The Weakest of the Tribe

Suggested Reading: Judges 6:11-16

Gideon’s hang-up was his family position. His family was the weakest of their tribe. To make things worse, he was the most insignificant of his family members. Yet the angel of God found him in hiding, smashing grapes with his feet, and declared him a man of valor.

Gideon eventually overcame his insecurity. He led Israel into victory over the Midianites with the assistance of flaming torches! Had he gone in his own strength, he would have failed. He didn’t go alone, however, because God gave him this promise: “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man” (Judges 6:16).

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29).

It doesn’t matter to God what kind of family we come from. We are all equal in His eyes, “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). His favor is the key. If we have God’s favor in our lives, there’s nothing that can stop us from doing something great for Him!

To be continued…