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I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of looking foolish.

When we live for the approval of others—instead of God—it makes us hesitate when He asks us to step outside our comfort zone to do something we’ve never done before. Why? Because we fear ridicule and rejection. People can be unforgiving and even cruel—especially when we mess up.

But the Scriptures give us many examples of people who were willing to obey God, no matter how foolish it looked in the eyes of men.

Think about Noah. He spent 120 years building the first boat when no one had ever seen or even heard of rain.

Sarah was promised a child at the age of ninety. Can you imagine all the snickering going on behind her back?

David boldly confronted Goliath—a giant that none of the mighty warriors were willing to face—with only a slingshot and a few stones.

And what about Joshua? He led an army around the mighty walls of Jericho and then had them shout and blow trumpets to destroy the city. Can’t you just hear the laughs and sneers coming from inside those walls … at least until they began to crumble?

The Bible tells us God uses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame those who are wise and strong in their own eyes. We’re also told it is impossible to please Him without faith. When God wants to work through us and asks us to step out into unknown territory, our response should be complete and absolute obedience.

But what if no one agrees or understands? What if we look foolish? Look at the outcome for Noah, Sarah, David, and Joshua. Through their faith and obedience—and their willingness to look foolish in the eyes of men—God accomplished His divine plan and purpose.

He can and will do the same through you and me. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength (1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV).

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)