The Line Up

Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. (Genesis 9:20-21 ESV)

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, she is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. (Genesis 20:2 ESV)

In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.” (2 Samuel 11:14-15 ESV)

Here are three key biblical failures, three restorations by God, and three covenants kept. Abraham was a liar. He lied and placed his wife in jeopardy, not to mention He did not believe God. Noah was drunk. He made wine and became so intoxicated he passed out naked in his tent and had to be covered by His sons. David, God called him a man after his own heart, and yet he was an adulterer, a liar, and a murderer.

How could God use these men for God’s righteousness? Is it not odd that almost all the figures in the Bible, with the exception of Christ, are broken people? While there are a few men like Job who were righteous, most were not. Job was not necessarily used for God’s purpose. Job was chosen, he was placed into the hands of evil, he suffered, and he was restored. Well, we can see the cross right there, but that is a different story.

Why? Why does God repeatedly use broken people, and He does to this day? I am one of them. Perhaps God does this so that we can see the power of the cross. So that we can glimpse the love of God for his creation. Maybe it is so we can see the transforming power of placing one’s faith in Christ. It could be God wants the broken to know that they are still worthy of redemption. It is certainly, in part, a way for God to display His sovereignty in power and glory.

In each of the three cases above, the resulting relationship with God ended with a covenant with God that, despite the failure of the human end, remains fulfilled. This shows us God keeps His promises despite the weakness of man. This is the root of assurances. Assurances give us hope and faith. Hope and faith grow our love and devotion. Love and devotion increase understanding, and our understanding elevates our sanctification.

When you feel unworthy, and you will. Remember Abraham, Noah, and David. Remember their failures and their successes. Remember the unbroken covenants. You are part of the new covenant, the covenant of the redeeming blood of the Lamb. You have been given a promise of eternal life through faith in Christ. Unworthy, every saint on earth is worthy by the blood of the lamb. When you fail, remember God keeps His promises and repent your sins. Have faith in the assurances given to you. Fall back in the love and hope of the cross. Then pick yourself up by the bootstraps and continue your walk of sanctification.

God is love, and we, as His children, must always love and worship Him. He saved a poor sinner like me and you.

Peace and Grace!