The last couple days we’ve talked about different people going through difficult times. Joseph had a very hard time with his family. The Israelites faced exile for 70 years. And we have learned about how they were able to get through those moments because of God. How God never left them. Another example of facing hardship for us to learn from is Paul.
Paul went to prison. He was shipwrecked. He was beaten. Even whipped. At one point he was on house arrest for 2 years. He had to stay in his house for 2 years. But, through it all he was a follower of Jesus. He never lost faith and God used him all the while. While he was stuck inside his house, Paul wrote letters to churches. He was encouraging them to stay faithful to Jesus. He was encouraging them and he was staying faithful as well. Here’s a quote: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Paul was teaching that we can find strength through Jesus. How true!!!!
God doesn’t use the qualified. God qualifies those he uses. Have you ever felt like you have nothing to offer? Or have you questioned what it is you have to offer? It’s times like these that God can really use us. Use us for his glory. Because it’s during those times, that his strength is revealed. Ours will not take us very far. His will. If we surrender ourselves to Jesus, he will see us through. Paul understood that. His circumstances were not the best obviously. But God still used him. And he can use you too. He can use me. All of us. All we have to do is turn to him. Ask him. And he will do so.
