Great Things in God’s Kingdom

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t accomplish anything in life? Have you ever felt afraid or unable to do what God called you to do? Well, you’re not alone. Throughout the Bible, many people thought they couldn’t do what God called them to do either.

Moses thought he would never be able to lead God’s chosen people, Israel, out of slavery in Egypt. Moses even made the excuse that he wasn’t a good enough speaker and that his words wouldn’t be enough to convince Pharaoh to release the Israelites (Exodus 4:10). But God promised to be with Moses and to give him the words to say (Exodus 4:11-12). Despite Moses’ fear, God used him to help rescue His people from slavery.

Gideon was told by God to rescue Israel from the Midianites, who had been oppressing the Israelites for seven years (Judges 6:1). But Gideon was so afraid of the Midianites that he asked God for sign after sign to show that this was really what God had called him to do (Judges 6–7). God reassured Gideon with several miraculous signs, and He used Gideon and a tiny army of three hundred men to defeat thousands of Midianites and rescue Israel from their oppression.

Esther, who was married to King Xerxes of Persia, didn’t think she could save her people from an execution decree by Haman, an evil chief official. Esther was secretly a Jew, and she was afraid she would be killed if she approached the king without an invitation (Esther 4:10-14). But God protected Esther and gave her courage to approach the king and speak out against the evil decree. God used Esther in rescuing His people from death.

If God can use people like Moses, Gideon, and Esther, He can use you in His kingdom too. Even when we are afraid, Christ enables His people to do great things—big and small—empowering us to share His good news of rescue from sin and death. • Alexis Wohler

• When have you felt afraid to do something God called you to do? How did He encourage you?

• It can be hard to know what God is calling us to do. Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and James 1:5. When we need wisdom, what can we do? Where can we find wisdom? Who are wise Christians in your life you can talk with if you need help (Proverbs 11:14; Galatians 6:1-2)?

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Read Verses:

2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Ephesians 2:8-10