Yesterday, we started a new series at CrossPoint titled “Identity Theft”. You can watch the first message in the series online.

I’m currently reading through the Old Testament. This series, combined with my personal reading, got me thinking about the lies that Old Testament characters believed about themselves and what God saw in them.

  • Moses was timid and stuttered. God said he would stand up in the face of Pharoah and demand he let them go.
  • Joshua must have struggled with fear. God told him over and over to be strong and courageous and that he would finally lead the Israelites to the Promised Land.
  • Gideon said he was the weakest of the weakest tribe, yet God called him a mighty warrior.

John 10:10 says: “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But [Jesus] came to give you life to the full” (NIV).

What I’m learning from reading through the Old Testament (and it’s still true today):

The enemy will magnify our weaknesses while God knows our potential.

We are definitely unworthy of any grace or blessing or favor from God. I won’t debate that. But sometimes the enemy can use that unworthiness to make us sit on the sideline and miss out on what God wants to do with our life to bring Him glory.

The enemy likes to point out all the areas in which we’ve failed. But God created us to do the work He’s called us to do. Whatever that gift or calling may be, He’s already equipped us to do it. So often we lose sight of that.

May the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV)

The amazing thing is that, while we’re unworthy of a second glance from God, He uses us in spite of that. He doesn’t need us to bring Him glory but He chooses to allow us that privilege anyway.

So the next time the enemy tries to steal your opportunity to bring God glory with your life, remember that it’s an honor to serve Him in spite of your failings, unworthiness, and shortcomings. God wants to use normal, ordinary people to do extraordinary things so that all we can say is “It’s a God thing!”