Corona Devo 560

Ever feel like you are ill-equipped to serve the Lord?  Like we don't have the background, training, upbringing, education, influence, money, knowledge or strength to do Him justice?

Ever feel like someone else (anyone else!) would be a better option, instead of us?

Well, here is some big (and Biblical) news: God doesn't care about our qualifications!    

The moment we accepted Him into our hearts He gave us clearance to serve Him.  Are we well-equipped?  Heck no!  We are sinful by nature and selfish at heart, and depending on the day and our mood, we are weak.

But He is strong.  And He is with us!  And God is sending us out for Him today!

Gideon (in the Old Testament) was a regular-Joe just like us, and that's exactly who God uses for His purposes.  

God put His hand upon Gideon, and called him into service for Him.  In the same way, God lays His hand on our shoulder today and calls us into service for Him: 

“Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”...   (14) Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”  ~Judges 6:12, 14

Gideon knew God, but he also knew his roots, and they didn't "qualify" him for serving God.  

“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh...”   ~Judges 6:15

But, Lord..how can we serve You and rescue others to You?  We come from weak clans too!  We have family issues/trauma/ dysfunction.  Our family names are "known for" many things but serving You and fighting-for-You are (often) not one of them.  We are ill-equipped, Lord!  We don't have the popularity or influence that you deserve.

“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel?...I am the least in my entire family!”   ~Judges 6:15

When it comes to standing up for God, we often develop a morale issue.  Few of us feel "qualified"/good-enough/influential-enough to represent God to others.  Maybe we feel like Gideon, in that we are the least in my entire family.  Or maybe sin and shame have caused us to feel as if we are the least in God's entire family.

But God answers the same way to any (and all) protests that we present in "not" being able to serve Him:  The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”  ~Judges 6:16

We are all Gideon's. 

Our middle-child heads up a middle-school Bible study on Thursdays (Pray for them at 2:30 PM each week!). 

Is he "qualified" to do it?  No.  

Is He well-learned in the Bible/scripture, it's meanings and applications?  Not-at-all compared to scholars--he only just turned thirteen.

Does he come from a long-lineage of pastors and clergymen?  Nope, quite the contrary.

These exact words could truthfully come from his lips: “But Lord...“how can I (bring your Word to) rescue (middle school kids)? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe...and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15).  

Our clan is weak and flawed, and he himself only a child...

The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”  ~Judges 6:16

Middle school is not an aggressive and cruel army of warring Midianites seeking to hurt others and manipulate power...oh, wait a minute: Yes, most days it is EXACTLY that.  

The Lord said to him, “I will be with you." (Judges 6:16)

Are we ill-equipped, lacking prominence and simply-not qualified to serve God?  

Yes.  And God says we are perfect for the job.

You and I are Gideon. 

So, start your own Bible study/prayer meeting.  The Lord said to him, “I will be with you." (Judges 6:16)

Engage with the dissatisfied neighbor/coworker who everyone else avoids.  The Lord said to him, “I will be with you." (Judges 6:16)

Make time for a good friend who needs you.  The Lord said to him, “I will be with you." (Judges 6:16)

Encourage a bitter enemy.  The Lord said to him, “I will be with you." (Judges 6:16)

~~~~~~~~~~

Are we unworthy, unqualified and ill-equipped to serve God?  Yes.

Now let's get out there.  

Because God says, "Go with the strength you have...I am sending you!” (Judges 6:14).


Blessings, 

sarah   

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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