God Uses Unlikely People
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 1:27
In today’s market, employers look to hire people who have the necessary education, experience, and ability to work well with people. Is this the way God picks his servants or the way Christ picked his apostles? God accepts every human being and he can use anyone as his divine servant if they accept Christ as their Savior.
We will take a quick look at how God can use our weaknesses to shame the strong. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). It is Christ in us that reveals the love, power, and wisdom of God. God will use everything for our good and his glory, including our life experiences and education, but without knowing Christ we can do nothing. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5).
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). God looks at the heart to find people who will return his love and are willing to serve him so that his power can be revealed. The shepherd boy David walked in the power of the Lord and as a young boy killed Goliath through the power of God. David said to the Philistine, You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. (1 Samuel 17:45). The battle was between Goliath and God, and Goliath had no chance of victory as long as David put his trust in the Lord.
When selecting his apostles, Jesus did not pick the elite religious scholars; instead he picked fishermen (Andrew, Peter, James, and John), a tax collector (Matthew), and a Zealot (Simon). These men weren’t Biblical scholars and even though they walked with Jesus they sometimes revealed their worldly ways. James and John asked Jesus: “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory” (Mark 10:37). This indicates their prideful state of mind. Here is Jesus’ comment to his disciples who could not drive the evil spirit from the boy: “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” (Luke 9:40-41). For three years his disciples were learning the ways of God from Jesus, but they did not understand his teaching until after his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Finally, after receiving the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they were able to change the world.
Today don’t limit the Lord’s power in you based on your own limitations. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20). Remember this verse today and put your trust in the Lord to release his loving power through you. God told Paul: And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Pray and trust the Lord today.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to release your love and power through listening to the Spirit. Let me die to self and live for you as guided by the Spirit and knowledge of your Word. In Jesus name, Amen