How To Overcome Your Feelings of Inadequacy (Judges 3:12-20)
So many people fail to live up to their potential because of their fear of failure. Millions are gripped by the fear of being laughed at, misunderstood or being embarrassed. When a person feels inadequate they are unable to harness the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in the heart of every Christian.
Illustration:Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: To choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way.
Viktor Frankl, concentration camp survivor. Philippians 2:12-18.
Ehud, the second judge in Judges 3:12-20, was such a man with feelings of inadequacy. Ehud was born with a physical limitation. He was hindered with his right hand. People in the days of the judges believed that anyone born with a physical handicap was untrustworthy. However, Ehud used his handicap to his own advantage. Let us see how the Lord can teach us lessons on overcoming our feelings of inadequacy to fully realize our God given potential.
1. Ehud, a left-handed man, was a man who learned that God never makes a mistake in His creating us just as we are. He was able to conceal his one and a half-foot dagger on the left side of his body as he entered the court of the king. The guards were taught to check the right side of every visitor’s body for weapons. When Ehud stuck the knife into the king, the Bible says that the sword went entirely through the king and the fat completely engulfed the sword. (Judges 3:21-23)
2. Ehud knew that God had allowed him to have a handicap for special occasions. He did not doubt God’s ability to turn a disadvantage into an advantage for the Lord’s purposes.
3. Ehud was a courageous man who risked his own life to accomplish God’s will. He walked into the palace of the King of Eglon knowing that he might not come out alive.
4.Ehud was a man of wisdom. He told the king that he had a secret message. Ehud then escorted the king into the private upper room where no one would hear the king cry for help.
5. Ehud was a man with a strategic plan. Ehud knew that when the servants saw the king close his door they would say to themselves, "The king is relieving himself." As a result Ehud had time to escape to freedom. Ask the Lord to give you a battle plan that proves His great wisdom.
6. Ehud was an organized man. Ehud raised up an army and put them at the fords of the Jordan river and had them cut off the escape route of the enemy. Prior planning prevents poor performance.
7. Ehud was a spiritually committed man who trusted in the Lord and not in himself. Judges 3:28 says, "The Lord has given your enemies, the Moabites, into your hands. Ehud was spiritually dependent on the Lord to fight the battles and to give the victory. Ehud did not boast in his great accomplishments.
8. Ehud hated evil. He was willing to risk public ridicule, shame and even death by denouncing the evils of the King and his idols. Only people who are willing to stand up for truth will be victorious.
9. Ehud led by example. When Ehud went out into the battle he cried, "Follow Me." (Judges 3:28) He was a man who gave people an example both with his lips and his lifestyle.
10. Ehud was able to get people to follow him into the battle. Unless you are able to get people to accompany you in Christian service, somehow you ministry is incomplete. Do not try to serve the Lord all by yourself.
11. Ehud was thorough in his tasks. Ehud’s army struck down all of the vigorous and strong men of Moab. He did not stay content with only doing a job half way.
12. Ehud ruled with peace and stability. Ehud was wise enough to rule the people of Israel for 80 years. The true test of a good leader is their ability to remain in leadership for a long period of time. Unless you have endurance, you will not be able to realize God’s complete benefits. Learn to be a finisher and not somehow who jumps from one ministry to another.
Conclusion:A chaplain was speaking to a soldier on a cot in a hospital. "You have lost an arm in the great cause," he said. "No," said the soldier with a smile. "I didn’t lose it--I gave it." In that same way, Jesus did not lose His life. He gave it purposefully.
