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1 Samuel 22:1-2 – So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. Then others began coming — men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented — until David was the captain of about 400 men. (NLT)
What others consider misfits, God often considers fits.
My father served as interim pastor for a small, struggling church after he retired. Once a thriving church on the local lake, it now struggled to survive. Dad tried to get them to take their eyes off their situation and focus outwardly. If the church grew, many of their problems would disappear.
At Dad's behest, the church began reaching out. They ordered door hangers and placed them on houses in the community, inviting any and every one who would come — planting seeds. When the church called a new pastor, the preparatory work had been done. He picked up where Dad had left off and continued going into the community, inviting all.
People from all walks of life began to come — most of them from the wrong side of the tracks, people who had sordid backgrounds and lived questionable lifestyles. The people in the church found that the people in their community were quite different from them, but they didn't let that stop them. They loved them and took them in. Soon, the church became the fastest growing church in the local association. But it was a church of misfits — at least according to many.
Jesus also had a tendency to invite those to follow Him who were considered misfits. His twelve disciples weren't exactly ones whom others might have picked to change the world: fishermen from despised Galilee, a scorned tax collector, ordinary men with no education. But those disciples initiated a world revival. Likewise, those who collected around David as he ran from King Saul's attempts to kill him were mostly misfits, but they became a great army.
Thinking that God can't use us because we have a sordid background or because we're enduring unfortunate circumstances in the present is the devil's ploy. If he can convince us, he will keep us unproductive. God, on the other hand, has good plans for us. We were created in His image, and nothing we've experienced — or are experiencing — can hinder His work, unless we let it. Confession, repentance, and trust in His forgiveness wipe the slate clean.
God loves to use those whom the world considers misfits because, when great things are accomplished through them, He gets the credit. After all, shining the spotlight on God is what life is all about.
Let's not allow others — or Satan — convince us that God can't use us. All that God requires is our willingness.
Prayer: Father, we thank You that our pasts don't hinder You from using us in Your kingdom's work. Amen.
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Saturday, May 18, 2024 – In North Africa — Living in North Africa we get so used to hearing the call to prayer it becomes like background noise and sometimes I don't hear it anymore. I am challenged by the fact that some Muslims are so committed to pray that they go to the mosque 5 times a day. Would you consider, with me, setting your alarm to go off at 3:00 every day and pray for these three things: 5 families to come to know Christ, 3 people for us to read scripture with,1 new church plant.
Housing: "Update May 16, 2024: Please continue to pray for T and her son A to find a different apartment...." 
Well done, Martin.
Thank you, Martin, this is a good devotion.
Amen Martin, after all, just look at the two of us!
So true, Martin. I hope that church continued in that wonderful and unusual outreach.
Thank you for the great reminder. Enjoyed your devotional this morning very much.
Blessings.
YES, Martin! Hooray! A wonderful reminder today. Who doesn’t feel a ‘misfit’ in some facet of their lives? My going to church helps it grow and helps Me grow! Thank you for a great devotional.
Hi Martin,
I like your devotional today! It got me then to thinking… God chooses willing sinners and since we all have sinned and come short of His glory guess all who choose to follow him fall into that ‘misfits’ category.
Good morning Martin, Thanks for your contribution to the daily devotional. I thought it very interesting and thought-provoking.
We too are a struggling church trying to reach out into the community of “misfits”.
We haven’t tried the door knocker thing. Maybe we should!
Martin,
Thank you so much for this devotion. Although a serious message, I had to chuckle. If we ever get to the point of thinking that we are simply “all that” we can, just remember that we may very well fit in the category of God’s misfits. What a way to stay humble. Grateful to be forgive, we just serve Him with all of our hearts.
Thank you, Martin, for your submission.
For me it hit home and describes some of us who were considered not worthy in the community. But we still serve and follow Jesus with our faults.
Throughout, God found use for all with imperfections and did use them in His work in the Kingdom.
Thanks again.
Hello Martin,
A big thank you for this devotional. Your Dad did a great job in getting the ball rolling to get the church members doing outreach and gathering in new members. Our Lord is ever forgiving and ready to welcome all, including those some would consider “misfits”. Serving the Lord is the important aspect of our lives.
Blessings to you for your service to Him.
(B.C.)
Good morning, Martin,
Well said! I have found, personally, that it is easier to look at such examples as you have given and see God’s faithfulness and work in lives, than to stop and apply that to myself. But I am right there, as much a “misfit” as the others. It is good cause to praise our Father for His redeeming work through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and to keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the enemy’s ploys!
Thank you, and blessings on your walk today.
Good work Martin.
I can imagine that the Church of Holy Misfits must have been very dynamic and was probably a bit of fun!
Our Lord enjoyed the company of the misfits of Jewish society because He could relax with them and tell them His stories/parables without having to judge their lifestyles. He came that time as Savior not as Judge. It was the “Church” people of His day that gave Him a pain in the keester.
Keep writing!
God speed,
(Texas)
Martin, I love reading about David and how lovely to take this chapter of his life. I enjoy how you took a further comparison with the 12 disciples. I read a book called “Unqualified” from Pastor Stephen Furtick that explores how God qualifies us, and that is what is most important, not what the world or forces of darkness think. Thank you for sharing this uplifting message today! Blessings.
Hi Martin,
Very interesting Devotional. So good to hear that there are still churches which are doing well.
Thank you for writing.