Throughout the pages of Scripture, we observe a recurring theme: God chooses, calls, and equips men and women to fulfill His divine purposes. However, before He can fully utilize them, these individuals often undergo a process of refinement, testing, and training. The man that God uses is not one who is perfect from the outset but one who has been molded by God’s hand through trials, faith, obedience, and humility.
God’s selection of His vessels is rooted in His sovereignty and divine purpose. He looks beyond appearances and understands the heart. In 1 Samuel 16:7, God tells Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” This Scripture underscores that God’s criteria for choosing someone is rooted in the condition of the heart, not external qualities.
For example, David was chosen to be king not because of his stature or noble lineage but because of his heart after God (Acts 13:22). David’s journey from a shepherd boy to a king was marked by a process designed to prepare him for leadership, testing his faith, character, and obedience.
The Process of Passing Through the Fire
God’s process often involves trials, challenges, and refining, akin to the purification of precious metals. Malachi 3:3 states, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver.” This refining process strips away impurities, self-reliance, pride, and other character flaws that could hinder effective service.
Examples of Biblical men passed through the process:
1. Moses: From a Prince to a Prophet
Moses’ journey exemplifies the process of preparation. Born a Hebrew, raised in Pharaoh’s palace, he initially relied on his own strength and wisdom. His attempt to free Israel through violence (Exodus 2:11-12) failed, leading to 40 years of exile in Midian. During this time, God worked in Moses’ life, molding his character and deepening his dependence on Him.
God’s call came at the burning bush (Exodus 3), but Moses was initially hesitant and insecure. God responded, “Certainly I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12), affirming that the process of preparation was necessary. Moses’ humility and obedience, forged through years of wilderness wandering, qualified him to lead Israel out of Egypt.
2. David: From Shepherd to King
David’s process involved overcoming fear, facing Goliath, and enduring rejection from Saul. His time tending sheep (1 Samuel 16:11-12) was his training ground for leadership. When anointed as king, he still faced exile and persecution. His psalms reflect a man who learned to trust God in the wilderness, in hardship, and in success.
His humility and dependence on God during difficult times prepared him to lead Israel with a heart after God’s own (Acts 13:22). The process cultivated qualities such as faith, integrity, and resilience necessary for divine leadership.
3. Paul: From Persecutor to Apostle
Saul of Tarsus was a zealous persecutor of Christians until his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). His conversion marked the beginning of a transformative process. Paul’s journey involved physical suffering, imprisonment, and rejection, yet these hardships refined his character and strengthened his faith.
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul recounts his numerous sufferings, emphasizing that those experiences were part of God’s process to prepare him for his apostolic mission. His humility and dependence on Christ made him a powerful vessel for spreading the Gospel across the Roman Empire.
The Qualities of the Man God Will Use:
The man God uses exhibits certain qualities that have been cultivated through the process:
1. Humility
Humility is essential. James 4:6 states, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humility allows a man to remain teachable and dependent on God rather than relying on his own strength.
2. Obedience
Obedience to God’s Word and His leading is crucial. Samuel reminds us in 1 Samuel 15:22, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Men who submit to God’s authority are better vessels for His use.
3. Faith and Trust in God
Hebrews 11:6 declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him.” A man God uses trusts in His promises, even when the path is unclear.
4. Perseverance and Endurance
James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life.” Perseverance through trials prepares men for divine assignments.
5. Integrity and Character
Proverbs 10:9 states, “He who walks with integrity walks securely.” A man of character gains the trust necessary for leadership.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Process
The Holy Spirit is essential in shaping the man God will use. John 14:26 says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things.” The Spirit convicts, guides, empowers, and refines.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus promised, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me.” The Spirit equips men with divine power, enabling them to fulfill God’s purpose.
The Man Who Has Been Passed Through the Process is Ready
When a man has been tested, refined, and obedient in the process, he becomes a vessel fit for God’s use. Such a man is humble, obedient, resilient, and Spirit-empowered. He recognizes that his strength and success are rooted in God’s grace, not his own.
Examples from Scripture:
Joseph: Betrayed, falsely accused, and imprisoned, Joseph’s character was developed through adversity. His humility and trust in God’s plan (Genesis 50:20) prepared him to save nations.
Elijah: A prophet who faced opposition and fatigue, Elijah’s humility and dependence on God (1 Kings 19) enabled him to perform mighty miracles and confront kings.
Nehemiah: A cupbearer who responded to God’s call to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, Nehemiah’s prayerfulness, leadership, and perseverance (Nehemiah 1-6) were products of a process of spiritual preparation.
The Man God Will Use Is a Man Who Has Been Made
The man God will use is not one who is perfect but one who has been made perfect through the process. This process involves passing through trials, refining character, cultivating humility, obedience, faith, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
As 2 Timothy 2:21 encourages, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” The preparation process is necessary for divine usefulness.
In essence, God is more interested in the man who is willing to be shaped and molded than in the man who appears ready from the start. When a man submits to God’s process, he becomes a vessel fit for His glory, ready to accomplish divine tasks and leave an eternal impact.
May we all be men who allow God to pass us through His refining process, so that we can be used mightily for His kingdom.
Yours In His Service
C. C. RAYMOND
