God rarely calls the most popular, educated or gifted people to ministry. Most of the mighty men and women of the Bible were not mighty at all. They were ordinary people – even flawed people – whom the Lord used for extraordinary purposes. The apostle Paul considered weakness a strength in serving God, and shared this revelation with the fledgling church at Corinth:
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.
In the Old Testament book of Judges, two no-names, Gideon and Jephthah, are chosen by God for special assignment. Gideon is threshing wheat when the Lord appears to him and tells him he will save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. We sense some urgency as the Lord asks, "Have I not sent you?" Gideon answers, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." We see here why God is drawn to Gideon: the young man calls Him "my Lord," impling some level of relationship. Next he admits that he is powerless, and questions why God would even consider him – both signs of humility. Empowered by the Most High, Gideon destroys his father's pagan altar at risk to his own life and later routs the Midianite army with a mere 300 men.
Jephthah is the black sheep of his family. The son of a harlot, he is shunned by his half brothers, flees home and becomes a bandit with a party of worthless men. He must have earned quite a reputation as a man of war because when Israel is attacked by the Ammonites, the elders swallow their pride and ask him to be their commander. Like Gideon, Jephthah acknowledges the Lord and His sovereignty. He answers the call and leads Israel to a great military victory, then serves the nation as judge for six years. Both Gideon and Jephthah are listed among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.
God continues to manifest His strength througth our weakness. As a Christian, don't be discouraged by your lack of confidence, resources or schooling. You might be the perfect candidate. Perhaps God is wooing you as He did Gideon: Have I not sent you?
Posted by Jeff King at May 3, 2005 08:54 AM