Daily Light - February 1, 2011

Daily Light from the Lighthouse
40 Days of Faith

"And what more shall I say?

For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah,

also of David and Samuel and the prophets..."

Hebrews 11:32

Have you ever read one of the "Who's Who?" lists? It is published to list college graduates, young professionals, etc. To be on this list is considered to be an honor, because those individuals are being recognized for their accomplishments. They have excelled in a certain area or accomplished certain things that make them special and set them apart from others in their field.
What you don't see in that list are the many failures that those same people have had in their lives? Such a list would not be sought out by as many people. This passage of Scripture is a list of the "Who's Who" of the faithful, and it does not take very long to see their failures. Gideon had trouble taking God at His word that he had been chosen to be the leader of the nation of Israel. Barak refused to go to war after being called to go by God unless a woman went with him (no offense, ladies). Samson let his lust deceive him into thinking that he could handle things without God's help. Jephthah was like a lot of us; he spoke first and thought second. David, a man after God's own heart, was at times in his life a prideful, adultering murderer. Samuel was caught up with appearance when he stood before Jesse's sons.
In spite of their failures, one by one God used each of them to accomplish something great for His glory. They had to see that really living for God was not all about them. Until they faced their failures and saw how much they needed God, they were not completely committed to the will of the Lord. Often we try to hide our shortcomings from people and make them see only the picture of ourselves that we want them to see. We need to remember that God chose to use the foolish things of this world to show His wisdom. The disciples were considered men of lesser education, but it was obvious that they had been with Jesus.
It is encouraging to know that God can use us in spite of our past. It is also thrilling to know that He is not looking for perfect people but people that will give Him their lives and follow by faith.
May you be on the "Who's Who" of faith list today!