What's Your Excuse? - Devotional by Mary Pinckney

“The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have.” – Judges 6:14 NIV

But God I am not qualified…

But God I don’t have a degree…

But God so many others have what it takes to do this…

But God I don’t have enough money…

But God I don’t have what it takes to make this relationship work…

And the list goes on and on. What is your excuse today? What is it that God has called you to that you are still trying to wiggle out of because you feel unqualified? The truth is, if you could do it on your own, it may not be an assignment from God. God always calls on us to do greater than we can imagine. The assignment He gives requires more than we are willing and often times able to do in our own strength. Normally the assignment stretches us past our place of comfort. This is what we see taking place in Judges Chapter six. Gideon is being called a mighty man of Valor by the Angel of the Lord.

Gideon believes his family is the weakest in Manasseh and He is the weakest of his clan, yet God is calling him to go out to battle the Midianites. Go in the strength that you have, are Gideon’s instructions each time he reminds God of what disqualifies him. This story brought back so many memories from my very own life. I have had the similar conversations with the Lord reminding Him why I was not the one to fulfill the purpose He called me to. I compared myself to others that were called to similar assignments. I was taunted by fear of not measuring up or not being able to fulfill the assignment because of my inadequacies BUT GOD.

Just like Gideon I had a wake up call. I began to see that if God has called you, you do not need anyone else’s approval. I was enough simply because I have been called. I was enough because He qualified me. And so are you. God is not concerned about our qualifications but our willingness and obedience to His voice. He needs soldiers that are armed with His grace, power, strength and love. He needs soldiers that are not afraid to give Him the glory for the victories we receive in His name. He needs humbled hearts that are willing to fully rely on His strength and not our own. When you stop to think about it, God is a master at taking the foolish things to confound the wise. We do ourselves a disservice when we compare our strengths to others.

My challenge for you today is to accept the assignment you have been given and Go in the strength that you have. Remember as God told Zechariah, it’s not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord. You already have what it takes to get the job done. Again, Go in the strength that you have.

Abba it is only by Your grace that we are able to walk out the assignment You have given us. We recognize our insufficiencies but help us to focus on Your strength and not our own in our times of weaknesses. Thank You for choosing us to partner with You in advancing the Kingdom of God. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission