God Uses the Weak – Part 2

People think differently than God does. That’s an understatement, for sure! While God does what He does for a reason, why is it that He uses the weak? God uses the weak simply because they are weak. God routinely uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Why God Uses the Weak

God uses human beings to show His power isn’t dependent on individual accomplishments, intelligence or aptitude. God works through fault-laden people so that He alone gets the glory for all the good that happens. Thank God, He doesn’t have to rely on my personal abilities (or anyone else’s) to get things done. That’s a relief!

It isn’t that we sit by and do anything, but we rest in the fact that we aren’t necessary to fulfill His plans. It doesn’t matter if we think we’re the wrong choice for what He leads us to do, either. In fact, the Bible is replete with examples of weak people used by God.

A Weak Man Made Strong

The first king of Israel was a man named Saul. God instructed Samuel the prophet to anoint him king of Israel, but Saul wasn’t sure Samuel had the right man.

1 Samuel 9:21

And Saul answered and said, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?” (NKJV)

Saul saw his limitations. He knew that he was inadequate for the job, and he made sure he let Samuel know it. He thought about all the traits a king should have, and he didn’t seem to measure up to the task. In fact, when Samuel went to make the official declaration of God’s choice for king, he hid himself!

1 Samuel 10:20-22

And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired of the Lord further, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord answered, “There he is, hidden among the equipment.”  (NKJV)

Saul knew he wasn’t worthy. He knew he wasn’t fit to the task. He knew he was weak, but what he didn’t know was that God uses the weak.

After some time, Saul got comfortable in his role as king. God blessed him, but instead of remaining humble he got arrogant. He grew to rely on himself instead of relying on the leadership of God. He thought he had gotten strong enough to handle things on his own, but in reality he got cocky.

1 Samuel 15:17-18

 So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel?  (NKJV)

Saul made the fatal mistake of forgetting that God uses the weak! He relied on his own position of authority instead of continuing to rely on God. The end result was that he lost everything he had been given – and more.

This is Part Two of a multi-part series. Keep watch for the next installment!