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1Cor 1:18-29 says, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

These are very encouraging words from the Lord. So many times in our Christian walk we feel weak and inadequate. “How could God use me?”, we ask. “What do I have to offer God? I am just a nobody.”, we may think to ourselves. Of course satan, our adversary, loves to jump right in there and agree with us. That’s why I like Mt 5:25, which says we are to agree with our adversary quickly. What do I mean? I mean tell satan he’s right when he accuses you of not measuring up. I’m not qualified. I’ve got nothing to offer God. I do fail: but that is in my flesh. When I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, He becomes my righteousness. He becomes my wisdom. He becomes my sanctification and redemption (1Cor 1:30). I don’t justify myself, Jesus justifies me.

God equips the called, He doesn’t call the equipped. I agree with the saying that God has not has anyone qualified working for Him yet. When God calls you, He will qualify you Himself. We are not to be wise in our own eyes (Prov 3:7, 26:12). Whom God selects, He will direct. Whom God ordains, He sustains. As the above Scriptures show, it pleases God to use the things that are foolish, weak, base, and despised in the world’s eyes, to confound them. Why is that? Because then He will get all the glory, which He alone deserves. The worldly wise and proud in heart will not “lower” themselves to trust in God, so God will use us “fools” that believe in Him and His Word to work for Him. What a privilege!

God chose me to be His child and to be His servant. I did not choose myself. So when the enemy come to me with the thoughts that I’m not worthy, I agree: Then I tell Him to take that up with Jesus. At that point, the discussion is over! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes (Isa 5:21)! Be not wise in your own conceits, and become a fool (Rom 1:22, 12:16)! 1Cor 3:18-20 says, “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”

Look at the people that God used mightily in The Bible. They were not perfect by any means. This does not mean we should shrug off sinful behavior as acceptable, but it does mean that God uses people for His glory - and people come with problems. If God waited on the perfect person to come along so He could use them, He would wait an eternity. Except for Jesus, we are all flawed. We are all born in sin and fallen. So never doubt that God could use you, if you will be faithful and submitted to Him.

Brother and Sister in Christ, When discouraging thoughts come against you, remember to ask this question: Who chose you? It is God that justifies (Rom 8:33-34). In and of myself, I am not worthy; but I am in Christ, and He has made me worthy. If I will simply keep trusting in my Savior, Jesus Christ and remain faithful to Him - God will use me for His glory. I pray this has blessed you, and until next time, rejoice in The Lord!