Unlikely Heroes: God’s Use of Broken People in Scripture

Have you ever felt like you’re not good enough? Perhaps your past mistakes weigh heavily on your heart, or your present weaknesses feel overwhelming. Maybe you look at the seemingly “perfect” people around you, or the spiritual giants in the Bible, and think, “God could never use someone like me.”

If so, you’re in good company. The beautiful truth is that the Bible is not a hall of fame for flawless individuals. Instead, it’s a living testament to God’s incredible power, displayed not through human perfection, but through profoundly flawed, broken, and utterly unlikely people. This profound truth offers immense encouragement to every one of us, for it means that our weaknesses, past failures, and insecurities do not disqualify us from God’s purposes. On the contrary, they often become the very canvas upon which His glory is most vividly painted.

Key Scriptures and Core Principle

The foundational teaching on this topic comes from the Apostle Paul, who understood the divine paradox of God’s strength made perfect in human weakness:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
– 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

This passage encapsulates a core principle of God’s kingdom: He deliberately chooses the weak, the foolish, the lowly, and the despised to accomplish His will. Why? Precisely so that no one can boast in human ability, but only in Him. As another scripture beautifully puts it:

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”
– 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NIV)

God actively works against human expectations, ensuring that when something extraordinary happens, all credit and glory go to Him alone. Our brokenness isn’t a barrier; it’s an open door for God’s power to shine!

Unlikely Heroes: Stories of God’s Redemptive Power

Let’s explore some compelling examples from Scripture that showcase God’s incredible ability to use anyone He chooses:

Moses: The Murderer and Hesitant Leader

• His Brokenness: Moses fled Egypt after murdering an Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-15). He spent decades as a fugitive shepherd. When God called him from the burning bush, he protested, claiming he was “slow of speech and tongue” and felt utterly inadequate and fearful (Exodus 4:10).
• God’s Use: Despite his past and perceived weaknesses, God chose Moses to deliver His people from slavery in Egypt. He empowered Moses to confront Pharaoh, perform miraculous signs, lead millions through the wilderness, and receive the Ten Commandments.
• Insight: God doesn’t need our perfection, but our availability. He equips those He calls, often using their very weaknesses as a platform to display His power. Moses’ reliance on God (and Aaron) magnified God’s role in the deliverance.

Rahab: The Prostitute of Jericho

• Her Brokenness: Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute, an outsider, and a person of low social standing in a city doomed for destruction. Her profession was considered immoral and shameful.
• God’s Use: When the Israelite spies came to Jericho, Rahab, by an act of faith, hid them and helped them escape (Joshua 2:1-21). Her actions saved her and her family from destruction. She is later listed in the “Hall of Faith” (Hebrews 11:31), recognized by James for her saving faith (James 2:25), and most remarkably, included in the direct genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).
• Insight: God’s grace extends beyond social status, moral background, or ethnic origin. Faith, even from the most unexpected sources, is what God honors and redeems. He can transform a stigmatized past into a pivotal role in His redemptive plan.

Gideon: The Fearful Farmer

• His Brokenness: When the Angel of the Lord called Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites, Gideon was “threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites” – an act of fear and hiding (Judges 6:11). He saw himself as the “least in his family, and his clan the weakest in Manasseh” (Judges 6:15), and repeatedly asked for signs to confirm God’s call.
• God’s Use: God strategically reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 to just 300 men, using this tiny, ill-equipped force to utterly defeat the vast Midianite army (Judges 7:1-25). This ensured that the victory was clearly God’s, not man’s.
• Insight: God deliberately chooses the weak and insecure so that His power is unmistakably glorified. Our fears and insecurities are not barriers to God’s calling; they can be opportunities for Him to demonstrate His strength through us.

David: The Adulterer and Murderer

• His Brokenness: Despite being “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then orchestrated the murder of her husband, Uriah, to cover his sin (2 Samuel 11). These were grave sins with severe consequences.
• God’s Use: After profound repentance (Psalm 51), God restored David. He remained Israel’s king, a beloved psalmist, and the lineage through which the Messiah would come (Matthew 1:1). God continued to work through David, showing His willingness to forgive and restore those who genuinely turn back to Him.
• Insight: God’s grace is greater than our sin, even grievous sin. True repentance leads to forgiveness and restoration, not disqualification. God uses flawed leaders, not endorsing their sin, but highlighting His own mercy, justice, and ability to redeem broken lives for His ongoing purposes.

Peter: The Impulsive Denier

• His Brokenness: Peter was impulsive, boastful (claiming he would never deny Jesus), prone to rash actions, and most famously, he denied Jesus three times, even with curses, during Jesus’ trial (Matthew 26:69-75).
• God’s Use: After Jesus’ resurrection, He specifically sought out Peter, restoring him and reaffirming his call (John 21:15-19). Filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Peter boldly preached the first Christian sermon, leading thousands to Christ (Acts 2:14-41). He became a pillar of the early church.
• Insight: Failure, even public and profound failure, does not define God’s ultimate plan for us. Jesus’s love and forgiveness are powerful enough to restore and empower even those who have betrayed Him. Our greatest weaknesses can be transformed into areas of great strength and compassion when we allow God to restore us.

Paul (Saul): The Persecutor of the Church

• His Brokenness: Before his conversion, Saul was a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted Christians, overseeing the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58) and obtaining warrants to arrest believers (Acts 9:1-2). He was an enemy of the cross.
• God’s Use: On the road to Damascus, Jesus dramatically confronted Saul, transforming him into Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. He became arguably the most influential figure in early Christianity, writing much of the New Testament and tirelessly spreading the gospel throughout the Roman Empire.
• Insight: No one is beyond the reach of God’s transforming power. Our past, no matter how dark or destructive, can be utterly redeemed and used for God’s glory. God often uses those who have experienced radical transformation to be powerful witnesses to His grace.

Jesus: The Master Healer of Broken Lives

Jesus’s entire ministry on Earth was a profound demonstration of God’s heart for the broken and an ongoing example of how He uses the unlikely:

• Ministry to the Marginalized: Jesus consistently sought out and ministered to the sick, the poor, the outcast, the sinners, and those deemed “unclean” by society. He ate with tax collectors and prostitutes, showing that God’s grace is for all who recognize their need. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).
• Parables of Grace and Forgiveness: The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) highlights a father’s unconditional love and joy over the return of a wayward son, showing God’s readiness to restore the broken and lost. The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7) symbolizes God’s relentless pursuit of the one who is straying or broken.
• Choosing Unlikely Disciples: Jesus didn’t choose the religious elite or the highly educated to be His closest followers. He chose uneducated fishermen, a despised tax collector (Matthew), and other ordinary people, demonstrating that His kingdom is built on faith and availability, not worldly qualifications.
• Emphasis on Humility and Dependence: Jesus consistently taught that true strength comes from humility and dependence on God (Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”). He models this perfectly, always giving glory to the Father.

Why God Uses Broken People

1. To Display His Glory: When God uses the weak, the outcome is clearly His doing, not ours. This prevents human boasting and magnifies His power, wisdom, and grace (1 Corinthians 1:29).
2. To Humble Humanity: It reminds us that salvation and service are by grace, not by works or inherent worthiness.
3. To Offer Hope to All: If God can use a murderer, a prostitute, a persecutor, or a denier, then He can certainly use me. This gives hope to everyone, regardless of their past or present struggles.
4. To Showcase His Redemptive Power: God is in the business of making all things new. Using broken people is the ultimate demonstration of His ability to redeem, transform, and restore.
5. To Foster Compassion and Empathy: Broken people who have experienced God’s grace are often more compassionate and understanding towards others who are struggling. They can relate on a deeper level, having walked a similar path.

Testimony: A Glimpse of God’s Grace

Sarah had always struggled with self-worth. Growing up in a challenging home, she carried deep wounds of inadequacy and fear. She saw herself as a “mess-up,” always making the wrong choices, especially in her younger years. Even after coming to faith in Christ, a whisper of doubt constantly told her, “You’re too broken for God to truly use.” She shied away from any leadership roles at church, convinced she had nothing to offer.

One day, her pastor announced a new mentorship program for troubled teens in the community, and something stirred in Sarah’s heart. Despite her internal protests about her past mistakes and lack of formal training, she couldn’t shake the feeling that God was nudging her. Trembling, she signed up.

Initially, her insecurities were loud. But as she began to connect with the teens, sharing parts of her own story—not glorifying her past, but highlighting how God had redeemed her from similar struggles—something miraculous happened. Her “brokenness” became her greatest asset. The teens related to her vulnerability, recognizing a genuine understanding that a “perfect” person couldn’t offer. Her empathy, born from her own struggles, opened doors for deep conversations about hope, forgiveness, and transformation.

Sarah realized God wasn’t asking for a polished professional; He was asking for an available heart. Through her, many young lives were impacted, not because of her strength, but because God’s power was perfected in her confessed weakness, turning her perceived disqualifications into profound qualifications for His purpose.

Practical Applications for Daily Christian Living

God’s truth about using broken people isn’t just a fascinating biblical concept; it’s a living reality meant to transform your daily walk with Him.

1. Embrace Your Weakness (Don’t Hide It): Stop pretending to be perfect. Acknowledge your struggles, failures, and insecurities before God. It’s in this honest surrender that His power can truly rest upon you.
   • Application: Instead of dwelling on past mistakes or perceived flaws, bring them to God in repentance and ask Him how He wants to use the lessons learned to bring Him glory.
2. Trust God’s Calling (Don’t Disqualify Yourself): Stop telling yourself “I’m not good enough,” “I’ve messed up too much,” or “I’m too insignificant.” If God has given you a nudge or a burden for something, step out in faith, knowing He will equip you.
   • Application: If you feel called to serve in your church or community, don’t let your perceived inabilities stop you. Offer your willingness, and let God handle the equipping.
3. Practice Humility and Dependence: Understand that any good work accomplished through you is His doing, not yours. This fosters genuine humility and deepens your reliance on Him.
   • Application: When you achieve something, give God the credit. When you face a challenge, pray for His strength rather than relying solely on your own.
4. Extend Grace to Others: Recognizing God’s use of broken people should make us less judgmental and more compassionate towards others. Everyone is a work in progress, and God is working in their lives too.
   • Application: Look beyond people’s outward flaws or past reputations and pray for God to reveal how He is working in them, and how you can encourage them in their journey.
5. See God’s Redemptive Work in Your Story: Reflect on how God has used your own challenges, mistakes, or periods of brokenness to shape you, teach you, and draw you closer to Him. Your testimony is powerful.
   • Application: Journal about your spiritual journey, noting specific instances where God turned a difficult situation into a moment of growth or purpose. Share your story when appropriate, giving God the glory.
6. Persevere Through Failure: If you stumble, remember Peter and David. Repent, learn, and get back up. God is not finished with you yet. His faithfulness endures.
   • Application: Don’t let a setback in your faith journey or a personal failure derail your entire walk with God. Seek forgiveness, forgive yourself, and press on, knowing God’s grace is always sufficient.

Encouragement and Prayer

Dear friend, take heart! You are not too broken for God’s purposes. In fact, your very weaknesses and past imperfections are precisely what God can use to showcase His magnificent grace and power. He delights in taking the ordinary, the overlooked, and the flawed, and transforming them into extraordinary vessels for His glory. He is a God of redemption, restoration, and second chances.

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly Father, we thank You that Your power is made perfect in our weakness. We confess our fears, our past mistakes, and our insecurities. Forgive us for the times we have disqualified ourselves from Your service. Lord, help us to embrace our humanity and surrender our brokenness to You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that Your strength may flow through our weaknesses. Use our stories, our gifts, and even our past struggles to bring You glory and to minister to a world that desperately needs Your redeeming love. We trust in Your perfect plan for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Conclusion

God’s consistent pattern throughout Scripture is to choose the weak, the flawed, and the “unlikely” to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. He isn’t intimidated by our brokenness; in fact, He specializes in taking the shards of our lives and transforming them into beautiful mosaics that reflect His glory.

This truth is profoundly liberating and inspiring. It means you are not disqualified. Your past does not define your potential in God’s hands. Your weaknesses are not barriers, but rather invitations for God’s power to shine through. Embrace your humanity, surrender your brokenness to the Divine Healer, and watch as He uses your imperfect life to do perfectly His will, for His glory, and for the good of a world desperately in need of His redeeming touch. You are an unlikely hero in the making, a vessel chosen by God for His magnificent purpose. Step into it with faith and courage!