Used Right Where We Are—For God!
If you have attended Sunday School as I, then you have studied many Bible narratives. In learning about the lives of those who came before us, you may have (like I) studied about the baby set afloat in the Nile because his mother wished to save his life. Probably, you also know how this baby was found by the daughter of Pharoah and taken to the palace where he received a royal upbringing. Then, if you remember all of these details, then let us also remember how this same young man grew into stature, so strong that he was able to commit murder!
Murder!!!
- Was that God’s plan for this young man’s life?
The Answer: Of course not!
- Was this man used for God’s glory, even after he committed this most heinous crime?
The Answer: Of course!
- Did the man face retribution for his act of murder?
The Answer: Of course this man did because murder is against God’s commandments!
- Was God able to use this man’s tragedy and create good from a horrible situation?
The Answer: Of course—God can always do that!
“When Pharoah heard about this matter,
he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from
the presence of Pharoah and settled in the
land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.”
(Exodus 2: 15 NASB)
- Does God allow us to make our own life-decisions?
The Answer: Of course God does allow us a human will, one that can disobey or obey God!
- Will God use us where we are located, when we are located there, and for His purpose?
The Answer: Most definitely!
God used Moses, a young man on the run from a ruler, and God allowed a Hebrew family to befriend and accept this young run-away man. Our God is an Amazing God! We know this to be true because God made man in His own image, because God gave man a soul, and because God desires that we come to know Him in personal intimacy.
Now, if you have attended Sunday School as I, then you have studied in the Bible about Moses and the burning bush. You may even be able to recite the words of God given to Moses as he stood pasturing his father-in-law’s sheep (that’s right, this young murderer was accepted & was even given a daughter to marry).
“When the LORD saw that he turned aside
to look, God called to him from the midst of
the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he
said, “Here I am.”
Then He said, [the LORD GOD said]
“Do not come near here;
remove your sandals from your feet, for
the place on which you are standing is holy
ground.”
(Exodus 3: 4-5 NASB)
Moses knew when he killed the young Egyptian that he had sinned because he hid the dead man’s body in the weeds, and Moses fled because he feared the punishment. Clearly, the narrative of Moses has much for us to internalize (the story of a baby—to boy—to young man—to shepherd—to man who hears the voice of God from a burning bush—to chosen leader of God’s oppressed people).
IT IS A TRUTH—We Can Be Used Right Where We Are In Life—Just As We Are—For God’s Will!
IT IS A TRUTH—God Does Not Waste Our Testing, Our Struggles, Our Trials!
IT IS A TRUTH—God Meets Us Just Where We Are In Life!
IT IS A TRUTH—Our Faith Can Grow & Grow & Grow & Grow!
IT IS A TRUTH—Our God Desires Intimacy With Every Person Alive!
The great American author Flannery O’Connor once exclaimed these words about a Christian’s faith, and quite assuredly, I think she was speaking the truth.
“Even in the life of a Christian, faith rises and falls like the tides of an invisible sea.”
David, the shepherd boy—turned chosen king of Israel—hunted man by current King Saul—turned adulterer—turned repentant man—turned psalmist wrote many God-given Psalms recorded in the Bible. One such Psalm reminds us how God uses each one of His children for His Good Purpose—If We Are Obedient to the Father’s Will.
- Let us be reminded this day—God Will Use Each of Us—If We Are Willing to be Used!
- Let us be reminded this day—All People Have Been Created By God!
- Let us be reminded this day—God Does Not Place the Word “Probably” Next to His Promised Faithfulness!
“The LORD will accomplish
what concerns me;
Your faithfulness, LORD,
is everlasting;
Do not abandon the works
of Your hands.”
(Psalm 138: 8 NASB)