August 18

And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. — Judg 7:22 BSB

We often fail to realize how much a hasty word, a careless action, or a confession of fear or unbelief can hinder our ability to be useful to God or close the door to a great opportunity He has been preparing for us.

Though the Holy Spirit works through weak vessels, He does not want them to remain weak after He has chosen them. Though He may use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, He does not expect us to continue in folly once He grants us His wisdom and grace. Just like an electrical current needs a proper conductor to be effective, God’s power needs a prepared and yielded vessel. Even a small wire is more useful than a thick rope if it properly conducts the current.

God desires fit instruments for His power—wills that are surrendered, hearts that trust, lives that are consistent, and lips that are obedient to His will. When He finds these, He can use even the weakest of us to accomplish mighty works through His strength.