Daily Devotional
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
James 1:2-4
From the cursed, scattered tribe of Levi came some of the greatest spiritual leaders in Israel’s history. Moses, the lawgiver who brought Israel out of Egypt. Aaron, the high priest who made atonement for sin. Phinehas, who stood up with holy zeal and stopped a plague. Ezra, who brought revival and reformation. Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.
Do you see what God did? From judgment came blessing. From a curse came a calling. From the tribe that looked most disqualified came the leaders who shaped Israel’s spiritual destiny.
This is the pattern of our God. He delights in using the broken, the scattered, the unlikely. He specializes in taking what looks like disqualification and turning it into divine appointment. Your past doesn’t disqualify you. Your family history doesn’t limit you. Your mistakes don’t exclude you from God’s purposes.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
God’s power shines brightest through our weakness. His calling often emerges from our curse. What you see as limitation, God sees as opportunity. What you view as disqualification, God views as perfect positioning for his glory.
Today's Challenge
What area of your life do you view as disqualification for God's service? How might God want to use your weakness, your past, or your "curse" as your calling? What would it look like to step into service despite feeling inadequate or broken?
Prayer
Father, I've often felt disqualified because of my past, my mistakes, or my family history. But the story of Levi teaches me that you specialize in using the unlikely and the broken. Thank you that my weaknesses don't limit your power but showcase it. Help me to see my "curse" as potential calling. Give me courage to step into service despite feeling inadequate. Use my brokenness for your glory and the blessing of others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
