Bishop David Muriithi: God does not use the qualified

Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews gives a list of ordinary and the most unlikely people whom God called, and by faith used in mighty ways to deliver Israel. 

These are people who do not ‘fit the bill’ or who have been written off by man. How can God show his power through you if you are already mighty? He does not use the qualified; rather he calls the ordinary and qualifies them. Abraham grew up and lived in a pagan background, but he became the father of faith when he obeyed and moved to a place he did not know. Moses was a stammerer and had anger issues, yet he brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. 

Samson was conceived after his mother had been barren for many years. He went against God’s instructions and married a Philistine woman, Delilah, but he brought peace in Israel after killing more Philistines in his death than when he was alive.

David, a man after God’s own heart had many issues that made him so weak. He was anointed as king by Prophet Samuel while out there in the wilderness tending to his father’s sheep. From a shepherd to a king! He struggled with the lust of the flesh when he desired Bathsheba; committed adultery with her; and committed murder when he organized for her husband to be killed in battle. 

Gideon came from the weakest clan in Manasseh. He was the youngest in his family, was terrified of the Midianites and went into hiding. Yet, God used him to conquer and subdue the Midianites who for years had terrorized and impoverished Israel - such that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for 40 years in the days of Gideon.

This was a society where men prayed every morning, “I thank God that I am not a gentile, a dog or a woman.” Yet as a woman judge, Deborah was mighty in giving counsel and judgment in Israel. Barak requested her to accompany him and his army to Kedesh to attack Sisera, the commander of Jabih’s army. They did and all the army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left.

Jephthah’s mother was a prostitute, his father a ‘playboy’ and having been illegitimately born; he was driven out to Gilead by his half-brothers. Yet he presided over Israel as a judge for six years. Samuel’s mother, Hannah was barren for many years. She prayed to God for a son and made a vow that if he granted her a son; she would dedicate him to God as a Nazarite. He became one of the greatest prophets in Israel. 

He played a key role in the transition from the period of judges to the institution of a kingdom under Saul; and transition from King Saul to King David. Then there is the case of Jesus the superhero, whose circumstances are the most unlikely in every sense of the word. First, God choose a small nation of Israel, not a superpower like America or Russia. 

Second, he was born in the obscure city of Nazareth which was surrounded by Islamic nations with whom they had constant conflicts. As the saying goes, ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’ 

Third, his father was a carpenter - of all the professions to choose from, a carpenter? Not a medical doctor, engineer, teacher or another prestigious profession. Fourth, his mother, Mary was a virgin teenager who conceived in the most unlikely way - without engaging in sexual intercourse with a man. Imagine the kind of ridicule she would have elicited and endured if this happened in our contemporary society. 

Fifth, at the time of his birth, there was no room in the inn and he was born in a manger among livestock. With all the hay, stench, urine and dung! Sixth, the most despised group of people, three shepherds, announced his birth. Shepherds were considered ignorant, illiterate and would always be out in isolation and with minimal interaction with people. Seventh, Jesus picked fishers and uneducated tax collectors who were considered as thieves to be his disciples and help him undertake the greatest mission on earth. 

Eighth, his ministry lasted only three years. What can one accomplish in three years? Yet, the impact of these three years turned the world upside down and has never recovered to date! Ninth, he made outrageous statements that left many of his followers and disciples totally confused. For example he said, ‘before Abraham was, I was’, yet they had just witnessed his birth not so long ago. 

He also said, ‘I am the life and resurrection’; ‘carry my yoke for it is light and easy’; ‘eat my flesh and drink my blood’; and ‘me and my father are one’. Tenth, his teachings were full of parables and contradiction of realities. For example he said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life,’ which was a preposterous claim to the unbelievers. So do not despise yourself or your humble circumstances because those are the perfect conditions that God will use to do a miracle. Do not fear, you are a hero!

Bishop David Muriithi
Founder & Overseer House of Grace International Ministries