Saul, a devoted Pharisee, thought he was obeying God, the Lord had to get him right, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Saul said, “Who are You? “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” “Arise and go into the city…” “…the men took him into Damascus. He was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank…the Lord said, “Ananias. Arise and go to the STREET called Straight, at the HOUSE of Judas for Saul of Tarsus, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done…” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a CHOSEN VESSEL OF MINE to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9:4-15)
- Abraham- Lied about his relationship with Sarah on two occasions. for fear of being killed. He used Hagar to obtain the promised offspring. He failed to rein in his nephew Lot.
- Elijah- facing Jezebel he became so fearful he ran away, escaping to the wilderness beyond Beersheba and begging God to kill him.
- Moses- murdered an Egyptian taskmaster and fled to the wilderness. He attempted to avoid God’s direction with excuses of his poor speaking skills. He became angry several times in the desert, shattered the first edition of the Ten Commandments, struck the rock—instead of speaking to it as directed by God.
- David- lusted for Bathsheba, committed adultery with her and then had her husband Uriah abandoned to die on the battlefield, God used him mightily, and labeled him “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).
- Peter- was a quick-tempered man, and he denied Christ three times during Christ’s mock trial at Caiaphas’ house. He was called “Satan” by Christ for his lack of understanding of Christ’s mission on earth.
- Paul- approved of the stoning of Stephen, and he vigorously persecuted Christians. Despite his shortcomings, God called him “…a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Paul authored most of the books of the New Testament, and he was highly instrumental in introducing Christ to us Gentiles.
It doesn’t matter who we are or what we have done, God can and will use us for His glory.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham