A lot of times, we can look at very powerful people and, if we’re honest with ourselves, we can envy them or covet their possessions or different aspects of life. We see them at their best and in all of their glory, but rarely do we see where they began.
Biblically speaking, we can do the same.
“Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt – to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.” Deuteronomy 34:10-12
Moses was referred to as a servant of The Lord. He was highly esteemed, and highly regarded. He’s often looked to as a Spiritual Father, and he set an example in which many people look to for guidance in their walk with God. Moses performed signs and miracles before Pharaoh, he led the Israelites out of Egypt, and by God’s power, he parted the Red Sea with his staff. The Lord used him in mighty ways!!
But do you know how Moses first began? He started out like a lot of us, and he thought some of the same lies we’ve thought before. I can’t speak well. I’m not wise enough. I am such a messed up person, how can the Lord use me? I don’t have anything to give. There are so many people more qualified; somebody else will do it!
“Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Exodus 4: 10-13
Moses, the same man that is referred to as a servant of the Lord, performed many signs and miracles, and parted the Red Sea; this is how he started!! And the crazy thing is, he’s not the only one.
Right before Moses died and the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the Lord made it very clear time and time again that the Israelites needed to keep their eyes on the Lord, and not worship the foreign gods of the land they were going to enter. Fast forward some time, and pick up in Judges 6 with a man named Gideon.
“The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.” Judges 6:1
“When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, he sent them a prophet, who said, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” Judges 6: 7-10
The Israelites had disobeyed the Lord’s commands and were being punished for it, but the Lord had mercy on His children. He was going to rescue them from their enemies, and Gideon was whom He planned to use in order to accomplish His plan.
“The LORD turned to [Gideon] and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’
‘Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’
The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.’” Exodus 6:13-15
Gideon ends up leading the Israelites in defeating the Midianites, and for the rest of Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace. The Lord used Gideon in order to save the Israelites from their oppressors, just like Moses. And like Moses, at first, Gideon saw himself as too lowly and not qualified.
If there’s one thing we can take away from these stories, it’s the fact that it didn’t have much to do with the particular person. It had more to do with the power of God working in them and through them and guiding them to do incredible acts. And the cool thing is, that same power still exists today!! If you are a born again follower of Christ, that power dwells INSIDE of you by the Holy Spirit!
I will go with you, I will teach you what to say, I will guide you. This is what the Lord promises each time he sends someone. We’re not going alone in our own strength; we’re going with the strength and power of the Maker of heaven and earth.
The Lord has begun walking me through a season of learning about weakness – specifically mine – in order that I lay mine down before Him and receive His power rather than consistently relying on my own.
The Lord revealed this to me the other day while journaling: When we are weak, we are strong. For when we are strong in our own flesh and on our own accord, we are only ‘strong’ by human standards. We are only as strong as humans can be, which doesn’t even compare to the Lord’s strength. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25 If the WEAKNESS of God is stronger than human strength, how much stronger is the POWER God gives us in our weaknesses. So, for when we are weak, we are not actually weak at all, because that is when God’s power is made perfect! Humility is laying down our weaknesses so that the Lord’s power may be fully established in us!
Moses and Gideon both allowed the Lord to work through them even though they didn’t at first feel qualified, and He was glorified because of it. They did this by:
- Seeking God
- Having a relationship with God
- Walking in obedience to God
Moses and Gideon sought after God, and desired to know His Will and follow His ways. They had a relationship with God that was more than just following rules. They spoke, prayed, and heard from God. And when they heard from God, they walked in obedience to what He said. They obeyed His commands, even when it didn’t make sense to them at the time, even when it was hard, and even when it might cost their lives.
If you’ve ever believed any of the lies such as, “I can’t speak well. I’m not wise enough. I am such a messed up person, how can the Lord use me? I don’t have anything to give. There are so many people more qualified; somebody else will do it!” you need to know the truth!! Those are lies, and they need to be cast out. The Lord wants to use YOU to be a light in this dark world. He wants to use YOU to bring Kingdom. He wants to use YOU to reach our lost brothers and sisters. He wants to use your story, but the question is: are you going to let Him?
