8/15 Strength for Today

A Wench in the King’s Business


2 Samuel 17:17

“Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.”


One of the greatest battles that David fought in his life was the rebellion that came from his own son Absalom. When you read the story, the Scriptures say that the conspiracy was so strong that many in Israel left David to follow Absalom. One man who was loyal and stayed with David was Hushai. Hushai was a counselor in David's administration. When Hushai came to follow David, he asked him to stay with Absalom as a spy so that he could know what to do. When Absalom asked Hushai for advice on the war, Hushai gave him false counsel to help save David’s life.


Here is what I want you to notice from the verse above. Hushai needed to get the information to King David, and the Scriptures say that he used a wench to deliver the message to the messengers of the king. A wench is a young prostitute woman. Here is a woman of ill fame, but still the king could use her. Here is a woman whose name we do not know, all we know about this woman was her scarred past, but the king could still use her in his service.


There are many who read this devotional whose pasts are scarred by sin. The truth is, some who read this will have a hard time overcoming their scarred past, but let me encourage you that the King can still use you in His service. Just in case you are wondering what King I am talking about, I am talking about King Jesus.


Yes, some of the scars of your past are so great that you may never be able to cover them up, but God wants you to know that He still wants to use you in spite of your scarred past. Sure, those scars may be embarrassing, but you are useful to the King. If your past is like that of this wench, don't let the Devil shame you into believing that God could never use you. Oh, there is some place that God can use you in His service. In fact, let your scarred past motivate you to do more for God than you did for that which gave you those scars.


In closing let me say to everyone, don't allow those who have a scarred past keep you from using them. Stop thinking that you are better than they and realize it is only the grace of God that kept you from having those same scars. No, they may not be able to be used to the degree of those who don't have the scars, but they can still be used, and used in a great way. Don't let the ugliness of those scars keep you from seeing the potential of God's power in their life. Look beyond the scars and see a person whom God has changed with His mighty power and grace.


We can all thank God that He is willing to use us in spite of the scars that sin has left in our lives.