How can we trust God to use our unique abilities for His purpose? Setting the Scene in Judges 3:17 “ And he brought the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was an obese man.” The historical record presents a simple exchange of tribute, yet tucked inside the narrative is God’s chosen instrument: Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite whose uncommon trait positions him for a nation-saving assignment. A Left-Handed Deliverer: God’s Precision in Design • In an era when right-handedness dominated warfare, Ehud’s left hand enabled him to conceal a short sword on his right thigh, bypassing the expected checkpoint procedures. • Scripture reports the detail as literal history, underscoring the deliberate crafting of Ehud for this moment. • God orchestrated the setting, the enemy’s complacency, and Ehud’s unique physical ability to rescue Israel from Moabite oppression. Lessons on Trusting God with Personal Abilities • Uncommon traits are intentional, not accidental (Psalm 139:13-16). • God equips before He assigns; the gift and the task arrive together (Exodus 4:11-12). • Limitations in one arena often hide strengths in another; Ehud’s “oddity” became strategic advantage. • Divine purposes prevail through ordinary people who offer themselves in obedience (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Scriptures That Reinforce the Principle • 1 Peter 4:10 — “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.” • 1 Corinthians 12:18 — “But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.” • Romans 12:6 — “We have different gifts according to the grace given us.” • 2 Timothy 1:6-7 — “Fan into flame the gift of God… For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” Practical Steps for Offering Your Abilities 1. Identify distinct skills, quirks, and experiences that set you apart. 2. Acknowledge God as Designer, thanking Him for every aspect of your makeup. 3. Present those abilities for kingdom service: ministry, work, family, community. 4. Stay alert to situations others overlook; your perspective may unlock the solution. 5. Act in faith when opportunity aligns with gifting, trusting the outcome to the Lord. Encouragement for Today The same God who fashioned a left-handed judge for Israel’s deliverance fashions modern believers for timely impact. When abilities, circumstances, and divine prompting intersect, confidence rests not in self, but in the Sovereign who never misplaces a gift. |
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