He Did What?!
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 ESV
Those are strong words friend!
How does God work? And does He need our counsel or advice?
Have you seen the movie Bruce Almighty? Jim Carrey played a TV reporter striving to be the newscast’s anchor but, is passed when it comes time for a promotion. One thing leads to another, and he gets fired from his job and of course blames all of it on God. God, played by Morgan Freeman, gives Bruce the chance to become God for one week to see if he can do better. Needless to say, he fails miserably.
If you were in charge, how would you handle things? People? Situations and circumstances? Would you send your Son, Holy and omnipotent, as a helpless newborn baby? Would you allow that child to be born in a barn amongst dirty, smelly, animals? Would you have allowed Him to be ridiculed and ultimately tortured and murdered? No. That is not the way we would have done it, but our way is not God’s way.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing - Corinthians 1:18-19 NIV
The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I’ll expose so-called experts as shams. So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered stupid—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. – 1 Cor 1:18-21 The Message
God uses the foolish things. God uses the weak. God uses the uneducated.
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;” 1 Corinthians 1:27 NKJV
Once again, our Abba, doing things in such unconventional ways.
In fact, if you read the Bible, you will see, from cover to cover, God using ordinary men and women; flawed, weak, uneducated. It’s almost as if He did it on purpose. Did God, and does God, seek out those people who have the messiest lives? It appears so. Is that the way we would have done it? I don’t think so.
“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” Romans 11:33-34 NLT
God does not need us to have money and power to be in His service.
“Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” James 2:5 ESV
Yes, God has chosen us! In fact, if you love Jesus, it is only because He chose you. John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” Isn’t that beautiful?
If an earthly king or president came to you and said, “I have a job that I believe only you can do. Would you be willing to work for me? The hourly pay is not great, but the bonus at the end will be more than worth it.”
I imagine most people would consider it an honor to be called upon by someone in authority or high rank. Our answer probably would be yes, I can start today.
“But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 - Amplified Bible
Our Heavenly King, Master of all, Creator of everything, is asking you to join Him, just like you are, right now. What will your answer be?
by Jeanette Stark – Wednesday, October 26, 2022