Imperfect People

     I have found many times that God uses imperfect people to do His work.  Therefore, I found the following quote and thoughts interesting:

"Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah was a drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossiper, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sara was impatient, Elijah was moody, Mary Magdalene was a hooker, Moses stuttered,  Zaccheus was short, Abraham was old, Lazarus was dead...God does not call the qualified.  He qualifies the called."

Not wanting to use the above without finding the evidence of where it might have come from, I quickly researched (but not extensively) and found the following.  There were some instances I really could not confirm or project to its validity.  Each one must do their  own research and make their own conclusion.

Jacob, the cheater - In Genesis 27 we are told of how Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother, Esau's birthright.

Peter's temper- The projection of him having a temper probably come from these scriptures.  I honestly do not know if he had a temper or was just in human form out of fear.   In Matthew 26:72  Peter "denied Him (Jesus) with an oath..."  Then in verse 74, "Then began he to curse and to swear..."

David's affair- In 2 Samuel we are given the story of David's affair with Bathsheba and how he plotted to have her husband, Uriah, killed in battle.    

Noah, the drunk - In Genesis 9 we are given a narrative of how Noah became a husbandman and planted a vineyard after the flood.  In verse 21, "And he drank of the wine, and was drunken..." 

Jonah running from God - In the Book of Jonah we find the story.  In the first chapter, verse 3, "And Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.."  The rest of the chapter tells us what happened to Jonah and how God used him.

Paul, the murdered - Acts 8 tells us, "Saul (later named Paul) made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison."  From there Chapter 9 tells us about the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus; how God sent a light from heaven and blinded him.

Gideon insecure -  In Judges 6:12;14 the angel of the Lord appeared unto Gideon and said, "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour...Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites..."  Gideon replied in verse 15, "I am the least in my father's house."  Gideon then said, "Show me a sign."

Miriam, the gossiper - Miriam was the sister who looked after Moses when he was a baby and who, I am sure, loved him dearly; however, in Numbers 11 we find, "Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married..."  The rest of the chapter tells how the Lord heard and called them out and reprimanded them for their slip of the tongue. 

Martha, the worrier - It seemed that one day Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha.  Mary sit at Jesus' feet to enjoy His visit, but Martha was too busy serving and worrying that all was right.  When she complained, we find in Luke 10:41, "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away for her."

Thomas, the doubter - In John 20, when Thomas was told of Jesus' resurrection, he said, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe."

Sara's impatience - God had told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, yet his wife, Sara, had been unable to bare children.  In Genesis 16 we find that rather than wait on the Lord, "Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing:  I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her.  And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai"

Elijah's moodiness- Elijah was a man of prayer and obedient to God.  I did find in 1 Kings19 that  Elijah "went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers."   I really found no real evidence if Elijah was moody or not. 

Mary Magdalene - was one of the women who found the tomb empty after Jesus arose.  I only found one reference to Mary Magdalene using her name before she became a follower of Jesus.  In Luke 8:2, "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, of whom went seven devils."   There were other commentaries and opinions, but I did not find anything else in the King James Version.  I also read one writer who stated there is no biblical support for her being a prostitute.

Moses, who stuttered - What I found was in Exodus 4:10 when Moses told God, "I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 

Zaccheus was short - Most have heard the story and the song about Zaccheus being a wee little man.  Luke 19:3 states, "And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of statue."

Abraham was old - Genesis 24:1 states, "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things."  Before that,  Chapter 21:2 tells us "Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him."

Lazarus was dead - Jesus used Lazarus's death to show his almighty power of healing.  John 11:43-44 confirms this.  "And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth..."

     God's Word rings true.  We all are created by God and for a purpose, regardless of our defects.  We can run, we can protest, we can offer excuses.  God gives us the freedom to do so.  Yet, if God wills it, it will happen, and it will happen in God's perfect timing.  We may only be delaying the rewards He has set forth for us.  He sees all and knows all.