Feelings of inadequacy.

Good evening, it's kind of late, but I'm kind of geeked out with excitement, and I'm feeling a little nervous about the trip, mainly because I feel inadequate to go do what I'm about to go do.

The verse Katie shared in the last post sums things up pretty well.  But I don't even know that I'd consider myself weak, sometimes I consider myself far below that, like the dirt under the rock that the worm is sitting on.

I think great men of the Bible also felt the same way.

1. When Moses was commanded by God to set the Hebrew nation free: "But uses protested to God, saying "Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?" - Exodus 2

God answers in the next verse, as He always does, so faithfully.  "I will be with you."

We don't have to go it alone.

2. Gideon has a similar reaction when the Lord asks him to rescue Israel from the Midianites: "But Lord", replied Gideon, "how can I rescue Israel?  My clan is the weakest in the whole rice of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!"  - Judges 6:15

And the Lord says to him in verse 16: "I will be with you."

3. And again, Jeremiah responds in a similar fashion when God called him to be a prophet: "O Sovereign Lord, I can't speak for you, I'm too young!"  - Jeremiah 1:6

Again, God responds in verse 8: "And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you."

I feel like I could go on with more examples, but the gist is this: God uses those who are willing, those who are weak, and those that feel inadequate.  He does not need the strength of men to accomplish His great works, for the strength of men always fails, but our unchanging Savior has endless strength that is all good, all the time.  Therefore, I rely not on my strength or abilities (which are limited to say the least), but rely on the one God from whom all strength originates.

It's worth repeating:

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9 Be in prayer for us!  We leave in 4 days!