Read: Judges 3:12-30
Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. (v. 15)
Often God uses what we were born with in unique ways. Being born with cerebral palsy, I have seen this happen in my own life. My disability gives me unique ways to minister for the Lord. It has opened up situations to befriend, encourage, or inspire others.
Ehud was a judge for the Israelites. He was born left-handed, and the Lord had a special assignment that only a lefty could perform. After fastening a sword under his clothes, he went in to see King Eglon who for 18 years had subjugated God’s people. Rather than concealing the weapon on his left thigh, as right-handed people do, Ehud strapped the sword to his opposite leg. The king’s guards didn’t think to search for a weapon there, so they let this judge in. They shouldn’t have, because when the king stood to receive a message from the Lord, Ehud grabbed his sword and stabbed him to death, giving the Israelites freedom from this powerful king.
The Lord took Ehud’s left-handedness and used it to save his people. Moving from the old covenant to the new, God wants to use our abilities and our disabilities to further his kingdom. It might be an ability that we have developed over time or maybe God plans to use something we were born with. No matter our abilities, he wants to use each one of us for his unique purposes. —Steven Laman
As you pray, thank God for creating you uniquely to be used by him.
About the Author
Steven Laman is a writer and public speaker who has lived with cerebral palsy since his birth in 1970. Steven is a prolific devotional writer for Words of Hope, and the author of three books: My Journey God’s Grace, Strength in Weakness and My Grace Is Sufficient. He also volunteers as a teacher’s aide. He lives with his parents in Iowa.
