102 Broken People that God Used Anyway [podcast]

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“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

If you think you are so broken because of your past life, your sins and regrets, your struggles and grief, or your current circumstances, that God could never use you … Consider this chronological list of people who were more broken than you and take courage:

1. Eve – Deceived by Satan to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:14)
2. Adam – Sinned willfully by eating with his wife even though he knew it was wrong (Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 5:14; 1 Timothy 2:14)
3. Noah – Got drunk and was abused by his son Ham so he cursed his grandson Canaan (Genesis 9:20-27)
4. Abraham – Lied about his wife being his sister to save himself … twice (Genesis 12:10-20, Genesis 20:1-20)
5. Hagar – Was a servant and single mother who was cast out, but received God’s guidance and protection (Genesis 16:1-15, Genesis 21:8-21)
6. Isaac – Lied about his wife Rebekah being his sister to Abimelech, king of Gerar (Genesis 26:1-11)
7. Jacob – Deceived his father and brother, yet became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel (Genesis 27, Genesis 32:22-32)
8. Joseph’s brothers – sold Joseph into slavery out of evil jealousy but God intended it for good (Genesis 37:18-36; Genesis 50:20)
9. Judah – Failed to provide for his daughter-in-law after God judged sins of his two older sons then later had sex with her while she was disguised as a prostitute (Genesis 38:1-30)
10. Tamar – Deceived her father-in-law into sleeping with her, and her baby Zerah is in the lineage of Jesus (Genesis 38:1-30, Matthew 1:3)
11. Joseph – Was sold into slavery and falsely accused, but became a powerful leader in Egypt, saving his family and many others (Genesis 37, 39-50)
12. Moses – Murdered an Egyptian, yet led the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 2:11-12, Exodus 3-14)
13. Rahab – A prostitute who hid Israelite spies and was later included in the lineage of Jesus (Joshua 2:1-21, Matthew 1:5)
14. The people of Israel – Repeatedly failed and turned away from God, yet were given countless opportunities for repentance and restoration (Old Testament, particularly the books of Judges, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles)
15. Gideon – Struggled with doubt and fear, but led Israel to victory against the Midianites (Judges 6-8)
16. Naomi – Suffered the loss of her husband and sons, but became the mother-in-law of Ruth, who is in the lineage of Jesus (Ruth 1-4)
17. Ruth – A Moabite widow who followed her mother-in-law Naomi to be with God and was blessed with marriage to Boaz, whose great-grandson is King David (Ruth 1-4; Matthew 1:5)
18. Jephthah – The son of a prostitute, yet became a judge of Israel and defeated the Ammonites (Judges 11-12)
19. Samson – Broke his Nazirite vows and was imprisoned, but ultimately defeated the Philistines (Judges 13-16)
20. Abigail – Was married to a wicked man named Nabal, but displayed wisdom and later became King David’s wife (1 Samuel 25:1-42)
21. David – Committed adultery and murder, but repented and became a man after God’s own heart (2 Samuel 11-12, Acts 13:22)
22. Jabez – Suffered from an unfortunate name but sought God’s blessing and was granted it (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)
23. Mephibosheth – Crippled and living in exile, but welcomed by King David and was treated as royalty (2 Samuel 9:1-13)
24. The widow of Zarephath – Faced poverty and the death of her son, but experienced God’s provision and a miraculous resurrection through Elijah (1 Kings 17:7-24)
25. Elijah – Struggled with depression and fear, yet accomplished great feats through God’s power (1 Kings 18-19)
26. The servant girl of Naaman’s wife – A captive Israelite girl who helped the Syrian commander Naaman find healing from leprosy through the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:1-14)
27. The Shunammite woman – Was childless but was blessed with a son through Elisha’s prophecy, and later witnessed her son raised from the dead (2 Kings 4:8-37)
28. King Hezekiah – Was a godly king who faced a severe illness, but turned to God and was granted an additional 15 years of life (2 Kings 20:1-11)
29. King Josiah – Became king at a young age and led a spiritual reformation in Judah despite the wickedness of his predecessors (2 Kings 22:1-23:30)
30. King Manasseh – An evil king who repented in captivity and was restored to his throne (2 Chronicles 33:1-20)
31. Amos – A simple shepherd and farmer who was called by God to be a prophet (Amos 1:1, Amos 7:14-15)
32. Jonah – Initially disobeyed God’s command, but eventually preached to Nineveh, leading to their repentance (Jonah 1-4)
33. The people of Nineveh – A wicked city that repented at the preaching of Jonah and was spared God’s judgment (Jonah 3:1-10)
34. Hosea – Married an unfaithful wife, but his love for her became a symbol of God’s love for Israel (Hosea 1-3)
35. Jeremiah – Known as the “weeping prophet,” he faced constant rejection and persecution but remained faithful to God’s call (Jeremiah 1-52)
36. King Nebuchadnezzar – A prideful ruler who was humbled by God and eventually acknowledged His sovereignty (Daniel 4:1-37)
37. Esther – An orphan and exile who became a queen, courageously saving her people from extermination (Esther 1-10)
38. Rehabiah – A descendant of Moses who faced obscurity but was chosen by God for a vital task in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:17)
39. Simeon – A devout man who was promised he would see the Messiah before his death, and rejoiced when he saw the baby Jesus (Luke 2:25-35)
40. The shepherds – Seen as lowly and unimportant in society, but chosen by God to be the first to hear of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8-20)
41. The apostle Bartholomew (Nathanael) – Initially skeptical of Jesus’ identity but became a dedicated apostle (John 1:45-51)
42. The man with the unclean spirit – Possessed by a demon but was delivered by Jesus in the synagogue (Mark 1:21-28)
43. The woman at the well – Had multiple failed marriages and lived with a man who was not her husband, yet led her town to Jesus (John 4:1-42)
44. Levi (Matthew) – A tax collector before becoming one of Jesus’ apostles (Matthew 9:9-13)
45. The paralytic man – Was lowered through a roof by his friends and forgiven and healed by Jesus (Mark 2:1-12)
46. The paralyzed man’s friends – Persistently sought Jesus’ healing for their friend, even lowering him through the roof (Luke 5:17-26)
47. The centurion with the sick servant – Demonstrated great faith, leading to Jesus healing his servant from a distance (Matthew 8:5-13)
48. Peter’s mother-in-law – Healed by Jesus and served Him despite her initial illness (Matthew 8:14-15)
49. The woman with the issue of blood – Suffered from bleeding for 12 years but was healed by touching Jesus’ garment (Matthew 9:20-22)
50. The two blind men – Cried out to Jesus for healing, despite being rebuked by the crowd, and received their sight (Matthew 9:27-31)
51. The man with the withered hand – Suffered from a disability but was healed by Jesus on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6)
52. Mary Magdalene – Was possessed by seven demons before becoming a follower of Jesus (Luke 8:2, John 20:11-18)
53. The paralytic at Bethesda – Suffered from paralysis for 38 years and was healed by Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15)
54. The Canaanite woman – Faced initial rejection from Jesus but persisted in faith, resulting in her daughter’s healing (Matthew 15:21-28)
55. The demon-possessed man – Lived among the tombs and was tormented by a legion of demons, but was delivered and restored by Jesus (Mark 5:1-20)
56. The Syrophoenician woman – A Gentile woman who showed great faith and humility, leading to her daughter’s healing (Mark 7:24-30)
57. The man with the demon-possessed son – Struggled with doubt but asked Jesus to help his unbelief, leading to his son’s healing (Mark 9:14-29)
58. The woman caught in adultery – Was publicly shamed by religious leaders, but found forgiveness and a new beginning in Jesus (John 8:1-11)
59. The man born blind – Suffered from birth but was healed by Jesus, ultimately testifying to the Pharisees about Jesus’ identity (John 9:1-41)
60. Lazarus – Was dead for four days but was raised to life by Jesus (John 11:1-44)
61. The apostle Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James) – One of Jesus’ lesser-known disciples but still served faithfully as an apostle (Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13)
62. The widow of Nain – Suffered the loss of her only son, but witnessed Jesus raising him from the dead (Luke 7:11-17)
63. The widow’s son from Nain – Died, leaving his mother alone, but was raised to life by Jesus (Luke 7:11-17)
64. The woman with the alabaster jar – Known as a sinful woman, but anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, showing her love and gratitude (Luke 7:36-50)
65. The woman who touched Jesus’ cloak – Suffered from a bleeding disorder for 12 years but was healed by her faith (Luke 8:43-48)
66. The rich young ruler – Struggled to let go of his wealth to follow Jesus but was still loved by Him (Mark 10:17-27)
67. Bartimaeus – A blind beggar who cried out to Jesus for healing and became a follower (Mark 10:46-52)
68. The widow who gave two mites – Gave all she had, despite her poverty, and was commended by Jesus (Mark 12:41-44)
69. The sinful woman who anointed Jesus – Known for her sinful past, but demonstrated her love for Jesus by anointing His feet with expensive perfume (Mark 14:3-9)
70. The woman with the spirit of infirmity – Suffered for 18 years with a disabling spirit, but was healed by Jesus on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17)
71. The prodigal son – Wasted his inheritance in sinful living but was received back by his father with open arms (Luke 15:11-32)
72. The prodigal son’s elder brother – Struggled with jealousy and self-righteousness, but was reminded of his father’s love (Luke 15:25-32)
73. The Samaritan leper – An outcast, but the only one of ten healed lepers to return and thank Jesus (Luke 17:11-19)
74. The persistent widow – Sought justice from an unjust judge and was eventually granted her request (Luke 18:1-8)
75. The blind men of Jericho – Persisted in their cries for mercy, leading to their healing by Jesus (Matthew 20:29-34)
76. Zacchaeus – A corrupt tax collector who repented and followed Jesus (Luke 19:1-10)
77. The servant of the high priest – Had his ear cut off by Peter but was healed by Jesus (Luke 22:50-51)
78. Peter – Denied Jesus, but later became a leader in the early church (Matthew 26:69-75, Acts 2:14-41)
79. The thief on the cross – Was crucified for his crimes, but Jesus promised him paradise due to his faith (Luke 23:39-43)
80. Joseph of Arimathea – A member of the Jewish ruling council that condemned Jesus but later provided the tomb for His burial (Matthew 27:57-60)
81. The Emmaus travelers – Suffered from doubt and disappointment after Jesus’ death, but their faith was restored when He appeared to them (Luke 24:13-35)
82. Thomas – Doubted Jesus’ resurrection, but later proclaimed Him as Lord and God (John 20:24-29)
83. The apostle James – Known as “James the Less” and often overshadowed by his brother John, but still became a key figure in the early church (Mark 15:40, Acts 1:13)
84. The man born lame – Was healed by Peter and John in the name of Jesus, resulting in him walking and leaping (Acts 3:1-10)
85. Paul – Persecuted Christians before converting and becoming an apostle (Acts 9:1-19, Philippians 3:4-14)
86. Barnabas – Sold his property to help the early church and faced contention with Paul, but continued to serve as a missionary and encourager (Acts 4:36-37, Acts 13:1-3, Acts 15:36-41)
87. Stephen – A deacon in the early church who was stoned to death for his faith, becoming the first Christian martyr (Acts 6:1-7, Acts 7:54-60)
88. The Ethiopian eunuch – Was a high-ranking official who learned about Jesus from Philip and converted to Christianity (Acts 8:26-39)
89. Ananias – A faithful disciple who overcame his fear to heal and restore Saul (later known as Paul) after his conversion (Acts 9:10-19)
90. Dorcas (Tabitha) – A kind-hearted woman who died and was raised to life by Peter (Acts 9:36-43)
91. Cornelius – A Roman centurion who sought God and was the first Gentile convert in the early church (Acts 10:1-48)
92. The people of Antioch – Despite being a diverse and sinful city, many came to faith and formed the first predominantly Gentile Christian community (Acts 11:19-30)
93. John Mark – Was rejected by Paul for desertion during a missionary journey but later reconciled with him and wrote the Gospel of Mark (Acts 13:13, Acts 15:36-41, 2 Timothy 4:11)
94. Onesimus – A runaway slave who converted to Christianity and was reconciled to his master, Philemon (Philemon 1:8-22)
95. Lydia – A businesswoman and the first European convert to Christianity, who opened her home to the early church (Acts 16:13-15)
96. Silas – Was imprisoned along with Paul, but continued to praise God and was instrumental in the conversion of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:16-34)
97. The Philippian jailer – A pagan who, after witnessing an earthquake and the conduct of Paul and Silas, became a believer and was baptized (Acts 16:25-34)
98. Priscilla and Aquila – Tentmakers who faced adversity but became significant leaders in the early church (Acts 18:1-3, Romans 16:3-5)
99. Timothy – A young man with a timid disposition but became a dedicated disciple of Paul and leader in the early church (1 Timothy 1:1-2, 2 Timothy 1:1-7)
100. Philemon – A slave owner who was urged by Paul to accept his runaway slave Onesimus as a brother in Christ (Philemon 1:1-25)
101. Apollos – A skilled speaker who was initially lacking in knowledge about Jesus but was taught by Priscilla and Aquila, becoming a valuable minister in the early church (Acts 18:24-28)
102. Eutychus – Fell from a window and died during Paul’s preaching but was raised back to life (Acts 20:7-12)

Throughout the Bible, God demonstrates His love and grace by using broken and flawed people to accomplish His purposes. These examples remind us that no one is beyond redemption or the reach of God’s transforming power.

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalms 103:10-14