When the writers of the Old Testament penned the words to the long lists of lineages, the so-and-so begat so-and-so passages, they almost always listed men. Very rarely did a woman’s name make the list.
But when we turn the page from the Old Testament to the New Testament, we see God honoring women in a brand-new way. We get a hint that the tide is turning for women when we read the lineage of Jesus recorded in Matthew chapter one. Shockingly, in addition to Mary, four women were listed in the genealogy of Christ!
And whom should God choose to be set apart, chosen, and honored in the genealogy of His Son? Not Mrs. Noah, who must have been an awesomely patient woman with all those animals to take care of. Not Mrs. Moses, who must have been incredibly flexible with all that moving around in the wilderness. Not Mrs. Abraham who must have become the poster woman for senior citizens everywhere when she had a child at ninety-years-old.
No. Those are not the women that God chose to be listed in the lineage of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He chose Rahab, who had been a prostitute in Jericho. He chose Tamar, who had an incestuous relationship with her father-in-law. He chose Bathsheba, who had an affair with King David. And He chose Ruth, a nice girl from the cursed Moabite nation.
And that IS the story of Christmas. God shows us through these women’s lives that there is no place we can go that is so far away from His presence that He cannot forgive us, redeem us, and then use us for His glory. His arm is not too short to save us from the deepest pit imaginable.
I often hear women say they believe God can forgive them, but that they struggle with the idea He could ever use them. But the Bible shows us that He can, and He will—if we let Him. Your past stumbling blocks can become your God-ordained stepping-stones. Your mistakes and failures can become the very springboard from which your ministry is launched. I’m not talking about launching an international ministry, though it could be. I’m talking about your ministry to your neighbor, your co-worker, and your family.
Here this: Your greatest messes can become God’s greatest miracles. Click & Tweet!
Revelation 12:11 says this: “They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” Each of the women in Matthew chapter one had a powerful story of how God plucked her from desperation, placed her on a firm foundation, and transformed her life into a portrait of admiration and inspiration.
Does that give you hope? It does me.
And that, dear sister, is what the Christmas story is all about.
Heavenly Redeemer, I am so thankful that You choose the weak things of the world to shame the wise. I am one of those “weak things,” and I am constantly amazed that You chose me and use me for Your glory. Thank You for writing my name into the Christmas story. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
How has one of your past stumbling blocks become a God-ordained stepping-stone. In other words, how have you seen God use it?
This is not your typical Christmas message, but it is why Jesus came. To save the lost, heal the sick, and use the redeemed. If you would like to learn more about God’s transforming power to turn your messes into His miracle, check out my book, Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of Your Past.
Comments 1
I am so grateful for all of your encouraging blogs. I’ve had a little unfortunate situation come about and keep trying to remind myself that this is mostly about my faith walk. Another of your blogs I read also encouraged me to remember His faithfulness to our concerns. I hear him saying ‘i’m Intervening on your behalf’ so I can trust His power and provisions. And reading others deep hurts and concerns puts my small situation into perspective. Please Lord, help our unbelief and know that you are working on our behalf. All we need to do after voicing our requests is to trust you. Thank you for LOVING us more than we can understand. Give us your wisdom and the power we need to obey your nudges and instructions. Amen.