God Uses Imperfect People

Well, he may not have been much to look at, but he certainly had the mind for it. Read verse 16. He makes a sword about 18” long, more like a long dagger that is double-edged. And here’s what he does, he takes it and hides it next to his right thigh.

So here’s what happens: he winds up going to the king to present a tribute to Eglon, who as the scripture says is a very fat man. He came before the king, and presented the tribute. Eglon accepts it and sent them on their way, and as Ehud turns to go, he gets as far as the idols at Gilgal and turns back.

I Have A MESSAGE FOR YOU, he said. A message from God.

HE excuses everyone, and asks Ehud closer. And as Ehud approaches, he says, “I have a message from God for you.” And as he gets to the king, he reaches toward his thigh and pulls out the sword and kills him. And the handle of the blade disappears into Elgon as the blade itself goes through the back.

COOL STUFF, HUH?

Then Ehud escapes out the balcony, leaving the door locked behind him.

Here’s the point—Ehud is not what we would call a superstar. He wasn’t the one who in high school would be voted most likely to succeed, but God used him. God used him, despite of him. I love the book of Judges, because it shows me that God uses flawed people to accomplish His will. I don’t have to worry about being Mr. Perfect, always looking good and sounding good for God to use me. And guess what? That goes for you to.

There are going to be moments in your life where you may think that you are beyond God’s ability to use you, but don’t sell God short. Notice how I said that? You see, there is nothing we can do in and of ourselves, but Paul tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. You see, it wasn’t Ehud who rescued Israel, it was God, through Ehud, who rescued Israel. God takes us, all of our shortcomings, and uses us for His glory.

And don’t let others try and put you down either. Christians are known to shoot their wounded, and that happens all to frequently. Some people will tell you that you are no good, that you can’t do anything good, that God will never use you. It reminds me of a story about two hunters.

Two men were out hunting ducks and one of the men shot a duck, but it falls into the middle of the pond they are hunting from. He sends his dog out to go get him, and the dog trots along, WALKS OUT ON TOP OF THE WATER, picks up the duck, and walks back. The other guy looks over and says, “What, he can’t swim?”

There are some people who will look at you and say that you can never do anything for God. Remember Ehud. Remember his example. God doesn’t use perfect people; there aren’t any. He takes the improbable, and accomplishes the impossible.