“Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, ‘Come, make us gods that shall go before us…’ And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’” Exodus 32:1, 4

Can God Use Me?

I have talked to a number of women who believe they have sinned too much for the Lord to use them in kingdom work. They just don’t see themselves as good enough to be used of God.

Let’s review today’s Scripture. Here we see Aaron, Moses’ brother, already used as a spokesman for Moses and thus for God. He sins big time, making a golden calf and declaring it to be the god who delivered the people from Egypt. Not only did he fashion an idol, but he was usurping Moses’ leadership (who had clearly been chosen by God as leader), promoting the Israelites’ impatience with God’s timing, and offering them an alternative to worshiping the one true God. He had not restrained the people’s foolishness. When questioned, Aaron lied about how it all happened. (“I threw the gold in the fire, and the calf just jumped out!”) What resulted was not only the anger of God, but the death of 3,000 men (verse 28) and plagues on the people (verse 35).

Yet just three chapters prior, in Exodus 29, Aaron had been anointed priest of the tabernacle in an elaborate, seven-day ceremony, where he had been consecrated (set apart) for God’s service.

Atonement had to be made for the grievous sins, of course. Moses took care of this. He had long, persuasive conversations with God about the whole affair; God relented, and promised His Presence once again. Aaron continued to serve as priest. God wasn’t done with him after all. God had chosen Aaron to serve—He forgave his sins and restored him to fellowship.

Time does not permit to tell of all the unworthy men and women who were used by God. Prostitutes. Murderers. Betrayers. Liars. Haters. Of course, God does not use them in this state—He forgives and restores first, then calls to holiness and blamelessness and love.

No one is out of God’s reach. Even the saintliest saint has sinned (“For all have sinned”). The holiest person you know needed forgiveness. The godliest Bible teacher who ever lived had to repent and be forgiven. “There is none righteous; no, NOT ONE” (Romans 3:10).

So, let me ask you, is your sin so bad that it will keep you from being forgiven? And if you are forgiven, won’t God use you for Kingdom work? Don’t wait until you’re perfect—that won’t happen until you see Him as He is in His Kingdom (1 John 3:2).

“Our great God, we know You have plans to use us. All we can do is thank You for Your forgiveness and great love. Amen.”