God works through sinful people, which gives insight into His mercy and grace. When we are honest with ourselves, we are sinful people who fall short daily, yet God still enables us to share the good news of Jesus. Many of the people of the Bible were not perfect, and God used them.
God told Abraham that he and his wife Sara would have a child, but when it took too long, he had a son from his maid. Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah, disguised herself as a prostitute. David, a man after God’s heart, committed adultery with Bathsheba and tried to cover it by having her husband murdered. Rahab, who hid the Israelite spies in Jericho, was a prostitute. Despite the flaws of all these people, they are part of Jesus’ genealogy listed in Matthew chapter one. Reviewing the ancestors of Jesus proves that the Lord accomplishes His perfect plan with sinful people. How is your perspective changed when you realize you don’t have to be perfect for God to work through you?
Israel Rejected God’s Plan
As Samuel grew old, his sons were corrupt judges, and the people decided they wanted a king. Samuel knew having a king was not God’s will, but the people would not listen to him. The prophet Samuel went to the Lord concerning this issue the Lord, but God told him to let the people choose to have a king. He also told Samuel to warn them of what a king would do to them.
God commented on His history with the people. 1 Samuel 8:8 Ever since I brought them from Egypt, they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. [1] The Israelites were sinful and did not listen to the Lord, yet He would still work through them as a nation to accomplish His will.
Following God’s Plan
How often do we stumble and reject God’s will for our life? Yet like the global positioning system GPS, the Lord redirects us. As the Lord redirects us, His intervention often takes us on the right path. I don’t think we fully understand how much the Lord intervenes daily to help and guide us.
Paul tells us to remove the old sinful self as we grow in faith. Ephesians 4:22 Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. [2] As we put on the new self, the Lord transforms us. This does not mean we no longer sin, but don’t let sin control our lives. When we put on the new self, we become teachable and moldable and desire to follow God’s will and His ways.
To learn how God works through sinful people, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/journey-kings
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Sa 8:8). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Eph 4:22–24). Tyndale House Publishers.