Exodus 33:19
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
In a world where worth is often measured by achievements, status, and qualifications, it’s so easy to feel like we don’t measure up. The pressure to meet certain expectations can leave us questioning whether we’re truly good enough for God to use. But here’s the beautiful thing about God—He doesn’t choose people based on the world’s standards. Instead, He loves to qualify the unqualified through His grace and mercy.
Grace means God gives us what we don’t deserve—His empowerment, strength, patience, and purpose—even when we feel unqualified.
Mercy means God holds back what we do deserve—judgment, wrath, and condemnation—because of His love, even though we haven’t earned it.
Almost a year ago next month, I had the first dream. In the dream, I was with some old friends from high school. We ran into two classmates that I haven’t seen since graduation. The friends I was with started to talk about them and look down on them, saying how they haven’t accomplished anything since high school. That’s when I heard God say, “Do I not rain on the just and the unjust? Do I not extend my grace and mercy to whom I please?”
I then began to name certain situations where God extended His grace and mercy to me. Every time I shared my experiences, all they could do was agree. Still, I knew that I myself have been unfit, so who are you to look down your noses as if God can’t use them?
I knew this dream was significant enough for me to write down. It wasn’t until November that I had the second dream. Unfortunately, I can only remember that it was at a church and that there was a woman involved. Again, God said, “Do I not extend my grace and mercy to whom I please?” At this point, I definitely knew this was something on God’s heart.
A week or so later, I had the third dream. In this dream, people were coming against me because I wouldn’t go along with what they were doing. I stood up for what was right, and it felt like the whole world was against me. I was having an event at church and thinking that no one was going to come. However, people started to flock in, and I couldn’t believe how many came. I started to sing, “Your Grace & Mercy.” " Your grace and mercy brought me through. I'm living this moment because of you. I want to thank you and praise you too. Your grace and mercy brought me through." The people began walking up to the front of the church and helping me sing. Honestly, the feeling in that place was beautiful—you could absolutely feel the peace of God.
As people started to return to their seats, I began to sing another song. I actually woke up singing it: “They said I’d never amount to anything, but I’m glad to say that I’m on my way, I’m still holding on.” I hadn’t heard the song in years, and honestly, I had forgotten all about it.
I’ve mentioned before that accepting the call was something I struggled with. The more I got to know God, the guiltier I felt about my past. I wanted to turn back the hands of time and do things differently. Being completely transparent, even now, years later, I still find myself beating myself up. Yes, God has forgiven me, and no, I’m not the same person I used to be.
When I look back over my life, I know it was only because of God’s grace and mercy that I’m still here. Situations I shouldn’t have been in, where I could’ve been killed—just knowing that I took God for granted when He could have let me die in my sins. I’ve said many times before that there’s nothing I’ve done so great, so good, that God chose me. That’s why I made the promise to you all: if He did it for me, then He will do it for you.
God will change you. He will clean you. There are several things I heard the old folks say growing up as a child that I didn’t understand. They would sing Amazing Grace, “that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see”. When those words finally hit me, all I could do was cry. I was definitely a wretch, a sinful mess that didn’t have it together and never felt good enough.
But God saw fit to extend His grace and mercy. I was lost in a world of sin, but Jesus found me. I was blind, but God removed the scales from my eyes. He started to teach me. He opened His word up to me, and now I can see.
The old mothers used to say, “If it had not been for the Lord on my side, where would I be? I could’ve been dead, sleeping in my grave." As I said, when I look back on my life, I see all the times God spared me. Knowing my past and knowing that I took Him for granted, I felt unfit.
But God started to push me to speak about the things He had shared with me. I had plenty of excuses. I gave God plenty of reasons why I didn’t want to. Maybe you’ve felt the same way too. I’m here to tell you that you are not alone, that it is God who qualifies the unqualified.
Let’s take a look at those God used, despite them not meeting the standards of man.
Moses: The Reluctant Leader
Moses didn’t start out as the confident leader we sometimes think of. He was raised as an Egyptian prince, but after killing an Egyptian, he became a fugitive and fled for his life. When God called Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, Moses felt completely unqualified and inadequate. He even told God he wasn’t good with words and doubted he could take on such a big task.
God’s Call:
Exodus 3:10-12
"Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain."
God didn’t ask Moses to be perfect; He just asked Moses to trust Him.
Moses’ Hesitation:
Exodus 4:10-12
"And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, 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. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."
Moses tried to explain to God why he wasn’t the right person for the job. But God reminded him that it’s not about ability, it was about his willingness to obey God.
God’s Grace and Mercy:
Even though Moses doubted himself, God didn’t. He patiently reassured Moses and gave him the tools he needed to lead. In the end, God used Moses to free the Hebrews from slavery, proving that He qualifies those who feel unqualified.
Gideon: The Fearful Judge
Gideon didn’t think much of himself. He saw himself as the least important person in his family, and on top of that, his family came from the weakest tribe in Israel. Yet, God still called him to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Gideon didn’t feel like he was the right person for the job, but God saw something in him that Gideon didn’t see in himself.
God’s Call:
Judges 6:14-16
"And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man."
When God called him, Gideon was quick to point out all the reasons he couldn’t do it—his background, his status, his abilities. But God didn’t focus on any of that. Instead, He promised Gideon that He would be with him and that victory was already guaranteed.
Gideon’s Hesitation:
Judges 6:17-18
"And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again."
Even after hearing God’s promise, Gideon was hesitant. He asked God for a sign to prove it was really Him speaking. And you know what? God was patient with him. He waited for Gideon to bring an offering and gave him the reassurance he needed.
God’s Grace and Mercy:
Gideon’s story is such a reminder that God can and will use whom He wants to. He’s not looking for the strongest, the most confident, or the most qualified. He’s looking for willing hearts. Even in Gideon’s fear and doubt, God gave him the strength to do what he was called to do. God’s mercy empowers us, even when we feel unworthy.
David: The Shepherd King
David’s story is proof that God doesn’t see us the way others do. He was just a young shepherd boy, completely overlooked by his family. Yet, he was the one God chose to be anointed as king. Despite being the youngest and seemingly the least likely choice, David went on to become one of Israel’s greatest kings.
God’s Call:
1 Samuel 16:7
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
When Samuel went to anoint the next king, David’s father didn’t even bring him forward. Samuel saw David’s older brothers and thought surely one of them was the right choice. But God reminded Samuel that it’s not about how someone looks or how impressive they seem—God looks at the heart.
David’s Anointing:
1 Samuel 16:12-13
"And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward."
When David was finally brought before Samuel, God made it clear: “This is the one.” Right there, in front of his brothers who had been considered first, David was anointed. And from that moment, God’s Spirit was with him.
God’s Grace and Mercy:
David’s story shows how God often chooses the unlikely. He wasn’t the strongest, the tallest, or the oldest, but God saw his heart. Even when others overlook us or dismiss us, God sees something deeper. He qualifies the ones He chooses, no matter what others might think.
Rahab: The Canaanite Prostitute
Rahab’s story is such a powerful reminder of how God’s grace works. She lived in Jericho, a city destined for destruction, and she was a prostitute—someone society would have completely looked down on. But despite her past, Rahab showed incredible faith, and God not only spared her life but gave her a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Rahab’s Faith:
Joshua 2:9-11
"And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath."
When Rahab heard what God had done for Israel, she believed. She recognized God’s power and declared that He was the true God of heaven and earth. Even though she wasn’t part of Israel, her faith was undeniable, and she took a huge risk by hiding the Hebrew spies and helping them escape.
God’s Mercy and Grace:
Joshua 2:12-14
"Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business."
Rahab’s faith led her to action. She didn’t just believe in God; she trusted Him enough to put her life on the line. She asked the spies to protect her and her family, and they promised to spare her when Jericho fell. God honored her faith, and her family was saved because of her courage and trust in Him.
Inclusion in Jesus’ Lineage:
Matthew 1:5
"And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse."
The part that always amazes me is how Rahab’s story doesn’t end in Jericho. God redeemed her past, and she became the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth. That means Rahab is part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ! She went from being a woman with a reputation to a woman who played a role in God’s plan to bring salvation to the world.
God’s Grace and Mercy:
Rahab’s life shows that it doesn’t matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done—God can use you. Her faith opened the door to redemption, and her story reminds us that we can be redeemed through God’s grace. He can take what others see as broken and turn it into something beautiful.
The Bible is full of stories about people who weren’t qualified by the world’s standards, but God still chose them. There many more people that I could list here. Through His grace and mercy, He gave them everything they needed to do incredible things. God doesn’t look for fancy qualifications. He’s looking for hearts that are willing to trust Him. And when He calls you, He’s the one who qualifies you.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re not good enough or like you don’t have what it takes, let me remind you—God specializes in using people just like that. His grace is more than enough. He can take our weaknesses, our doubts, and even our past mistakes, and turn them into something powerful for His glory.
I’ve been talked about. I’ve been criticized. I’ve been lied on. I’ve been in false accused. I’ve been made to feel less than. But when it comes down to it, I am not who others say I am. I am who God says I am, and so are you. He has called us worthy.
This is why I love these song lyrics:
You thought I was worth saving, so You came and changed my life. You thought I was worth keeping, so You cleaned me up inside. You thought that I was to die for, so You sacrificed your life, so I could be free.”.
So, whether you’re carrying the weight of your past, or questioning if you’re capable, remember this: God’s got you. He will equip you for whatever He’s called you to do. Just trust Him and watch what He can do through you. Remember it is God that qualifies the unqualified.