God Will Use Anybody

Hebrews 11 gives us a list of some of the people used by God in the Old Testament. The Gospels and the rest of the New Testament tell us even more of the kinds of people God used and will use today.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. Hebrews 11:8-21 (KJV)

This passage showcases Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob and how God used them. They were not perfect people. Abraham lied. Sarah tried to help God out and made a mess of things. Yet, what God had promised them came to pass. God promised them a son and so it was. Now, their descendants are as the stars and sand. Even in their lapses of faith and their disobedience, God worked with them until they agreed with Him. And His plan was fulfilled in their lives.

Isaac played favorites with his sons. But God blessed him. Jacob was a deceiver and trickster. However, God used him, changing him from a deceiver to a prince. From him came forth 12 tribes that formed the nation of Israel.

Hebrews also speaks of Moses, who was a murderer, liar, and disobedient to God by not circumcising his sons. Moses kept making mistakes, but God kept using him.

Rahab is also mentioned in Hebrews 11. She was a prostitute, but she saved the Israeli spies who came to Jericho and she and her family were spared. God used her. And in Matthew, 1, she is listed in the geneology of Jesus. What an honor!

King David had many faults and did some very bad things. He fled from King Saul, failing to trust God. He lied to save his own life. He slept with another man’s wife and then had him murdered to cover it up. Yet, God used Him and established his throne forever, with Jesus being in his lineage.

Samson is also in Hebrews. He sinned over and over. Yet, God used him in the end, and he killed more of the enemy in his death than he had in his whole life.

Looking to the New Testament, Saul of Tarsus killed Christians, but God turned him into an apostle named Paul, and he converted more to Christianity than he had killed. As we repent and are willing and obedient, God can and will use anybody. There is more than sufficient record in God’s Word to support this.

Peter is another example. Peter made many missteps and misspoke numerous times. He even denied Jesus three times. But, when he was restored, he led 3,000 souls to the Lord on the day of Pentecost. He went from being a big-mouth coward to being courageous for the Lord.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. I Corinthians 1:27-29 (KJV)

There are many, many more examples in God’s Word of imperfect people used by a perfect God. God will use anybody who will say no to themselves and yes to the Lord. God works through imperfect people to show His own perfection. He uses weak people to show forth His strength and power. This is encouraging, because it means He will also use you and me!