Abide

Read: Hebrews 11:23-29

Moses, although he is commended for his faith, was not without problems. He was a timid man, wanting someone else to take on the responsibility of leading the people (Exodus 3:1-22). He was a fugitive on the run after he killed a man for abusing a Hebrew slave (Exodus 1:11-25). He struggled with obeying God at times, which cost him the ability to partake in the Promised Land (Numbers 20:10-13).  Despite these shortcomings, Moses became the intrepid leader of Israel during the exodus and wandering in the desert. The author of recounts the remarkable acts of faith surrounding his family and Moses. He tells how Moses became the son of the Egyptian princess, yet scorned the wealth of Egypt for his people’s sake, encountered God at the burning bush and followed God’s commands concerning the first Passover.

Moses is but one example of how God takes people and their mishaps and uses them for his purposes and glory. The Bible is chock-full of stories of people who, although they had shortcomings and faltered, God used them. People such as Samson, David, Rahab, Solomon, Peter, Paul and Thomas are a few. Every challenge that Moses and these other men and women of God overcame was done so by faith in spite of whatever shortcomings they had.

Make no mistake: God wants his people to live according to righteousness and  God does not take sin lightly. The author of Hebrews already gave a staunch warning about those who willfully and deliberately keep on sinning after receiving knowledge of the truth (Hebrews 10:26-31). Nevertheless, God can still use sinful people even today to accomplish his will. The difference is what one does with his or her sin. When those who do believe confess their sin, God is faithful and just and forgives and cleanses one from sin (1 John 1:9). Keeping a contrite heart focused on God in faith and acting according to his plan will accomplish much.

Lord, I’m messy, but with your help I believe you can use me for your glory!