Some of us may look at ourselves and think, “What good am I to God?” Some of us may look around at others who are so very skilled and think, “I will never be able to make as much of a difference as that person! I’ll never be as good as them! What good am I to God?” Some of us may look at Christians who seem to know so much and have the Bible practically memorized and think to ourselves, “I will never know was much as they do! I feel like such a dummy when it comes to the Bible! What good am I to God?”
Look at Gideon—God used him! When God’s people fell into oppression to the Midianites, God used a man named Gideon to lead an army of 300 to defeat the massive army of 135,000. Who was Gideon? Here’s how he saw himself: “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” (Judg. 6:15). Have you ever felt that way? God took a man like Gideon and used him! He can use you, too, if you’ll let Him!
Look at Esther—God used her! When God’s people were on the verge of obliteration at the hand of Haman, God used a woman named Esther to shed light on the truth and deliver His people. Who was Esther? She was a Jewish orphan who was raised by her cousin. Her Jewish name was Hadassah (2:7), meaning “myrtle,” a very common indigenous shrub all over Palestine. Her heritage and family were of such little value (and would even have been harmful to her reputation in Persia) that she initially kept that information hidden (2:10, 20). Have you ever felt less than impressive compared to others around you? God took a woman like Esther and used her! He can use you, too, if you’ll let Him!
Look at Peter—God used him! When God needed someone to preach on Pentecost and then take the gospel to the Gentiles, God used Peter. Who was Peter? He was a lowly fisherman, who did not always have the best control of his tongue, his temper or his conduct. His fellow Jews viewed him as “uneducated and untrained” (Acts 4:13). Have you ever felt like you didn’t measure up? God took a man like Peter and used him! He can use you, too, if you’ll let Him!
Do you want to be used by God? First, humble yourself. Even Paul viewed himself as “less than the least of all the saints” (Eph. 3:8). Second, make yourself pliable in the hands of God. View God as the Potter and you as the clay in His hands (Jer. 18:1-11). Submit yourself to Him and let Him mold you into a Gideon, an Esther, a Peter, an Epaphroditus, a Tabitha, or whoever He wants you to be! Pray this prayer, “Mold me and make me, after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still!” God can use you! Will you let Him?