“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10 ESV)

God uses weak people in the most extraordinary ways! And God wants to use you, too. If you will let Him.

God turns weakness into strength

Hebrews 11:32-34 says, “I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength.”

Therefore

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16 ESV)

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalm 34:17-23)

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)

It amazes me to see the flawed people God used in the Bible.  From cover to cover the Bible has ordinary men and women perceived as flawed, failures, weak and lowly.

From an outside perspective, we can see that it didn’t matter where people were from, what they had done, or who they use to be; God used all people for the good of His will.

Here are some examples of people that were used for the greatness of His glory. 

• Abraham -Was old.

• Elijah – Was suicidal.

• Joseph – Was abused.

• Job – Went bankrupt.

• Moses – Had a speech problem.

• Gideon – Was afraid.

• Samson – Was a womanizer.

• Rahab – Was a prostitute.

• Samaritan Woman – Divorced.

• Noah – Was a Drunk.

• Jeremiah – Was young.

• Jacob – Was a cheater.

• David – Was a murderer.

• Jonah – Ran from God.

• Naomi – Was a widow.

• Peter – Denied Christ three times

• Martha – Worried about everything.

• Zacchaeus – Was small and money hungry.

• The Disciples – Fell asleep while praying.

• Paul – A Pharisee who persecuted Christians before becoming one.

If you ever feel like you aren’t worthy enough, remember that God used a bunch of flawed people to share hope to a flawed world. In Him we find renewal and mending. Jesus didn’t call the equipped, He equipped the called. And no matter what you’ve been through in life, remember that the same power that conquered the grave lives within you.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Rom. 8:28)

“Now when the Jewish leaders saw the boldness of Peter and John and found out that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13-14)

Jesus chose “ordinary” people to be His disciples

The disciples were simple men with a weak and basic faith. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen. Mathew was a tax collector. Simon was a zealot (a political activist). We aren’t told what the occupations of the others were. Jesus transformed the disciples through teaching, admonishing, transforming, and empowering them. He can work through and use the same ordinary people today.

The Apostle Paul said…

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:26-31 NIV)

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Phil 2:13 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!” (Psalm 112:1 ESV)

Look what the Bible says will happen “if” you fear the Lord and obey His commandments.

“If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.” (Deut. 30:16)

“God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!” (Psalm 67:7 ESV)

Like a tree planted by the water

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jer. 17:7-8 ESV)

Watch out!

“Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” (Prov. 28:14 ESV)

Therefore

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 ESV)

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Num. 6:24-26 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” (Prov. 15:16 ESV)

The “trouble” riches bring

Many believe having a lot of money would solve their problems and make them happy. But they don’t understand the problems that come along with wealth. Studies of people who suddenly come into wealth show the opposite: it causes more problems than it solves. Most who have won the lottery say it ruined their lives as well as those of their families, and they wish they never had won. The Bible has a lot to say about the trouble that comes along with it.

“But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Tim. 6:9-10)

“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matt. 19:23-24)

This is better

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” (Prov. 22:1 ESV)

“The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 10:22 NLT)

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8)

Therefore

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21 emESV)

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5 ESV)

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;” (Prov. 3:9)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God

“You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.” (Psalm 115:11 ESV)

God’s Provision and Protection

Two things mentioned in the above passage for those who fear the Lord, are God’s help and shield. The word “help” represents God’s provision and the word “shield” represents God’s protection. Even though there are many of Bible verses about God’s provision and protections, here are three each that define both of them.

• God’s Provision:

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 ESV)

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV)

• God’s Protection:

“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” (Psalm 81:4 ESV)

“My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (2 Sam. 22:3-4 ESV)

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exo. 14:14 ESV)

Therefore

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8 ESV)

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.” (Psalm 5:11 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.” (Acts 9:31 NLT)

Over the last few days, we have discovered many wonderful benefits connected to the fear of the Lord, but we have barely scratched the surface. According to the above passage, here are four for the church: peace, strength, encouragement, and growth. Let’s look at what the Bible tells us about each one.

·      Peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

·      Strength: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31 ESV)

·      Encouragement: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,” (Rom. 15:5 ESV) 

·      Growth: “Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47 ESV)

Therefore

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” (Prov. 22:4 ESV)

Humility and fear of the Lord

The passage at the top states that there is a favorable reward for humility and the fear of the Lord: riches, honor, and life. This is for both now and later. It’s now because of God’s law of reaping and sowing (Gal. 6:7) that you will reap the results of living that lifestyle. And it’s later when He comes again, bringing rewards (Rev. 22:12).

“The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” (Prov. 15:33 ESV)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)

Therefore

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” (Col. 3:12 ESV)

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6 KJV)

And finally

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God

 “By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.” (Prov. 16:6 ESV)

A few days ago we read in Proverbs  8:13 that the fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil. Today we learn that the the fear of the Lord turns us away from evil. It’s good to know that God turns us away from what He says He hates. He even tells how it happens, “By steadfast love and faithfulness, iniquity  is atoned for.” That’s the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” (Gal. 1:4 ESV)

We do not fear evil because God is with us!

“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:3-4 ESV)

Therefore

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim. 4:18 NIV)