June 18, 2015
God’s Power Follows Your Obedience
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
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. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him (1 Corinthians 1:27-29 NIV).
Friend to Friend
If God said, “I’m looking for a woman to help accomplish My plans and fulfill My purposes,” would you feel qualified? Not many of us would raise our hands shouting, “Pick me, pick me!”
But here’s something we must always remember: God doesn’t necessarily call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called.
When the angel of the LORD came to call Gideon to be the leader of the Israelite army, Gideon was hiding in a winepress threshing wheat (Judges 6:11-14 NIV). Now you don’t thresh wheat in a winepress. You thresh wheat by throwing it up into the open air and letting the chaff blow away and the heavier grain fall to the ground.
So why was Gideon in the winepress? He was hiding. That’s right. He was so terrified of his encroaching enemies, he was hiding. And yet, when the angel of the LORD addressed Gideon, He called him a ”mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12 NIV). That just tickles me. I imagine Gideon looked to the left and the right and asked, “Are you talking to me?”
God doesn’t see as we see. We tend to look at what we can accomplish in our own strength, but God looks at what we can accomplish in His.
Consider this:
Jacob was a deceiver.
Joseph was a brat.
Moses was a stutterer.
Sarai was barren.
David was a shepherd.
Rahab was a harlot.
Peter was a fisherman.
Paul was a murderer,
Mary Magdalene was a transformed demoniac.
The Samaritan woman was a five-time divorcee.
Timothy was timid.
Priscilla was a tent maker.
Even though they might not be who the world would choose to lead a great nation or movement, these were a few of the men and women God chose to fulfill His purposes in their lifetime through His power.
“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. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
I don’t know about you, but that fits me to a T. And here’s even better news, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). And so can you!
Let’s Pray
Lord, I don’t know why you have chosen me to do mighty works for You, but I do know this: I am not qualified, but You are. Give me strength in my weakness. Give me faith in my fear. Give me power in my powerlessness. I’m trusting You.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Judges chapter 6 and note how God spoke to Gideon’s fear. Especially note verses 14 and 16.
What is God saying to you today about what He will do for you? Click over to my Facebook page and join the conversation. Just leaving a comment and typing the words is a step of faith in itself! I’ll see you there.
More from the Girlfriends
Sometimes life doesn’t turn out like we expected, and sometimes those twists and turns can eave scars in our lives. So what are we going to do about it? I suggest turning that pain into purpose, that hurt into hope, and that mess into a ministry opportunity. Are you ready to do that? Is so, my book, Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of Your Past Can Help. Click on the title to read a sample chapter. And while you are on my site, make sure and sign up for my blog packed with more encouragement and inspiration. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter all right there on the homepage.
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