Judges 7:19So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.
2 Cor4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Just as in the story of Gideon, we have the light within us. The light, or the power is hidden in earthen vessels. The only way the light, or the power can be released is by breaking the vessels. The vessels need to be broken. While we are working hard to keep the vessel whole, God wants to break it. While we are concerned about how the vessel looks like, God is trying to teach us that it’s not about the vessel, but what’s inside of the vessel.
Peter was concerned about the vessel, when he told Jesus that if everyone else would be offended in him, he would not be. But Jesus told him that not only will you be offended, but you will deny me three times before the cock crow. Peter denied and started to curse that he didn’t know him. When he realized what he had done, the Bible tells us he went out and wept bitterly. His vessel was broken. He may have thought his ministry was over. He may have thought he had thrown away all opportunities. He who had the keys to the Kingdom, and was one of the three closest to Jesus, had now blowned it all. But in reality, it was now that Jesus could use him. Jesus didn’t need a beautiful and perfect vessel. He needed a broken one. He needed a vessel that the light could shine through.
It was the same with Paul. He claimed himself to be blameless according to the law. He was a perfect and spotless vessel. But before God could use it, he needed to break it. And when God was through with Paul, he said that out of sinners, I am the greatest. God left the thorn in his flesh to remind him that he was depending on Gods grace. In that way the vessel was constantly kept broken, so that the power of God constantly could shine through it.
It was the same with Paul. He claimed himself to be blameless according to the law. He was a perfect and spotless vessel. But before God could use it, he needed to break it. And when God was through with Paul, he said that out of sinners, I am the greatest. God left the thorn in his flesh to remind him that he was depending on Gods grace. In that way the vessel was constantly kept broken, so that the power of God constantly could shine through it.
Are you a broken vessel? Have you allowed God to break you? Are you working to keep your vessel whole and blameless, while God is trying to break it so his power can come out and touch people? Have you messed up, or disappointed yourself, or those around you. Then maybe you are closer to being used by God like ever before. Repent, and know that God needs your broken vessel.
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