6-23-23

Our failings do not keep us from God’s blessings or usefulness. I once heard a pastor say that if you were divorced, you could not have a ministry. Now far be it for me to contradict a pastor, but in MY opinion, this idea is not allowing for God’s grace and forgiveness. Not to mention that God made allowance for divorce in the bible, especially abandonment, addiction and abuse. You will never convince me that a person needs to stay in an abusive relationship. It must grieve God to see one of his children hurt another like that.

One of the awesome things about the Bible is that it gives us real life examples of how human and flawed we all are. 

Moses did not get to go into the promised land after leading the people so far because God told him one thing and he did another out of anger and frustration. Haven’t we all done that? 

Sampson was given incredible strength, but he let down his guard and allowed Delilah to take advantage of him in a weak moment.  It cost him everything.

Elijah preached boldly for the lord, and the king and queen didn’t like it. They threatened his life. Even though God would protect him, he was fearful. Elijah never suffered death and rode a chariot to heaven. THAT sounds fun!!

Gideon was famous for winning a war against Israel with only 300 men, but he too, became fearful and forgot about God’s protection.

Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, cheated his brother out of his birthright. Jacob’s arrogance no longer prospered once he had “received” the birthright from Isaac. He acknowledged his sin and when God appeared and wrestled with him, Jacob no longer felt alone. With renewed confidence he was able to move on, knowing that God’s blessing and protection was with him. God’s promise never faltered, and Jacob remained faithful to Him throughout the rest of his life.

The most interesting to me is Rahab. In the story of Joshua and the wall at Jericho, she was approached by Joshua’s men to keep them safe or she would be killed. She not only helped the men, but she changed her whole life. Later we find that she is in the lineage of Jesus, a great, great grandmother. How amazing is that?

If you feel “less than” perfect for God, remember these are only a few of the people in the Bible that God used for his glory. God can and will use you and me. We don’t have to quit our jobs and go to Africa as a missionary. We don’t have to go to seminary. All we have to do is love Jesus, follow Jesus and tell people how amazing his love really is. AMEN!!

Shirlene Peterson