How God Uses the Weak to Shame the Strong - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - February 24, 2025
"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." 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NIV)
In the hit TV series, America's Got Talent, people travel worldwide to showcase what might be the next biggest and most extraordinary act in America. Competing for one million dollars and a headline show in Vegas, singers, dancers, ventriloquists, comedians, and more take a chance on two minutes that could change their lives.
Similar to American Idol, it's evident in the first few minutes of the act whether the act has true potential or talent to move on to the next round. Judges are the ones who get the final say, and if an act is truly profound, they might just receive the golden buzzer, which takes them straight to the finale of the live shows. If you've seen the show, you know as well as I do how shocking talent can appear. So is the case for janitor Richard Goodall.
It's sad to admit, but many ordinary people walk across America's stage and the judgment is obvious. You can tell by the crowds and the judges' faces that they definitely don't think this act will have potential or value. And then, someone opens their mouth, busts out a dance move, or exemplifies the greatest talent they've ever seen. Jaws drop, hands clap, tears are shed, and the rather ordinary or strange-appearing person is elevated from foolish to wise, weak to strong, in a matter of seconds.
This past weekend, as my husband and I watched re-runs of the show, I saw this principle in action. As Richard Goodall walked across the stage, you could sense his apprehension. He was just a nervous janitor who'd never really sung for a big crowd before. And though the crowds and judges seemed encouraging, they hinted at their own apprehensions: "I hope he's good. I really do."
And then, Richard opened his mouth. Within five seconds, he'd won everyone over with Journey's Don't Stop Believing. The crowds went wild, and Heidi Klum (one of the judges) hit her golden buzzer. Richard not only went on to the finale but became the winner of season 19. To think, he was just a janitor, a janitor the nation fell in love with.
Much like the nation's newfound love and appreciation for Richard, I'm reminded of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1:25-31:
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 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. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."
I don't know about you, but seeing and watching people like Richard win America's greatest show encourages me. That though we live in a fallen and messy world, our God is still in the business of using the ordinary, the struggling, the hurting, the weak, and appearing somewhat less-than-stellar people to shame the strong. He uses people like you and me, placing hidden talents deep within us, greater than this world will ever know or recognize.
No, we don't need to be on America's Got Talent to watch God choose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise or the weak to shame the strong. We simply need to be aware and look around. To view our lowly and broken states not as weaknesses, but strengths. Because isn't it a gift to be alive? To represent Christ as "little Christs" that flip the world upside down?
Let's pray:
Dear Jesus,
What a blessing it is to be your child. Though the world may often see us as weak or talentless, help us remember the treasure you've placed within us. Use us to flip this world on its head for your glory and edification. When we're feeling downtrodden or worthless, remind us of 1 Corinthians 1:27. Remind us that you will be magnified through our struggles and that you're in the business of using those who feel weak and poor to shame the strong and rich. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kieferpix
Related Resource: Instead of Doing More This Summer, Maybe You Need to Do Less
If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.
Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.
Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.
I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
