Many people often feel as though they can never be used by God. Because they didn’t come from the right family, aren’t good enough, have committed too great a sin, or a multitude of other reasons. But that is in no way what the Bible teaches. On the contrary, Scripture teaches that God has the ability to change anyone. Making them who they were meant to be and giving them a purpose in His kingdom. No matter what their past looked like.
When God called him Moses did not think he would make a good leader for the people of Israel. In fact, he gave God reasons as to why he was not worthy to lead the people. But as we know God made Moses a great leader. Using him to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and to record both the law and Ten Commandments. God took Moses a man exiled from his people for murder and who had a speech impediment and changed him into one of the greatest leaders to ever live.
Exodus 3:11 (ESV)
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
Exodus 4:10 (ESV)
10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”
Exodus 4:13 (ESV)
13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”
Like Moses, Gideon also did not think he could be the mighty leader his nation needed. But God had other plans. The lord was able to change the young man into a mighty worry. Who would lead a victorious army into battle on multiple occasions.
Judges 6:14–15 (ESV)
14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
God was able to change a humble shepherd into a mighty worrier and king. Transforming a young unassuming boy into the great man we know as King David. Taking him from a lowly family to the highest position in all the land. He never would have been able to imagine it was possible but God was able to use him in many great ways even though he started with humble beginnings.
1 Samuel 16:11–13 (ESV)
11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 18:18 (ESV)
18 And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father’s clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”
1 Samuel 18:23 (ESV)
23 And Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?”
The way God is able to change people can often even amaze those he has changed. Like Amos the simple shepherd that God chose to change into a prophet. He never lost sight of where God had brought Him from. In fact, he was even willing to point to his past and give God the credit for the change that had taken place. He didn’t come from great seed or a family of prophets. But God was able to elevate him to that status and use him in that way because he wanted to.
Amos 7:14 (ESV)
14 Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs.
Even the religious leaders of the time could not miss the fact that God can change and use anyone. As they even noticed the change that had taken place in the Apostle Peters life. A man who had lived the early part of his life as a fisherman but one day meet a man named Jesus who forever changed his life. Causing him to become a mighty preacher, evangelist, and man of God who performed many miracles.
Matthew 4:18–19 (ESV)
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Acts 4:13 (ESV)
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Even a past of wickedness against God does not stop the Lord from being able to change someone. A lesson we learn through the life of the Apostle Paul who heavily persecuted the early church and even murdered Christians. But was changed in an instant by the Lord on the road to Damascus. Leading him to write a letter and preach the gospel in ways that are still having an impact on the lives of millions today.
Acts 22:4–8 (ESV)
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
The Bible even tells us plainly that God changes people. When someone accepts the free gift of salvation that is offered to all people they are changed in to a new person. The old whatever it was is passed away so God can create something new.
Ephesians 4:24 (ESV)
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Colossians 3:10 (ESV)
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
The Lord does not leave anyone the way he found them but changes all those who come to Him into what they were always meant to be. Whether they believe they aren’t worthy, come from a bad family, or have lived a wicked life anyone can be changed by the Lord. Including you so let Him change you and see what you can become by choosing to follow after the Lord just as all those mentioned above did. God will use you in was you can’t even begin to imagine if you will only let Him.
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