Ever heard of the sons of Korah?

Ever heard of the sons of Korah? No, it's not some low-rate Southern Rock band. If you've done much reading in the Old Testament, specifically Psalms, you've seen their name mentioned. These worship leaders in Jerusalem are responsible for Psalms 42-49. They gave us powerful passages of worship like these:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea...Psalm 46:1-2

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! Psalm 47:1-2

This is powerful stuff. But do you know about their past? Here's a hint...Numbers 16. Here we read that Korah, one of the Levite priests, got greedy and led a rebellion against Moses!! Did you catch that? Korah set himself up in a power struggle with one of God's chosen men and one of Israel's greatest leaders. I don't care who you are, you're not going far with that one. In fact, the Bible records that Korah's whole family was swallowed up by an earthquake that literally took them inside the earth and covered them up again. Everyone was destroyed...everyone but the sons of Korah.

God had great stuff in mind for them.

So what's your excuse? I mean, you're obviously here for a reason. Have you asked God what kind of greatness He has prepared you for? I'd be willing to bet that it wasn't so you could brag about your position at work or your lengthy resume. God doesn't create men for themselves but for Him. And the reason I talked about Korah's boys? Because your past can't be an excuse. You can't have a much more tainted past than this: "Isn't that the boy whose daddy took on Moses? Wasn't he swallowed alive because of God's judgment?"

Yeah, you may have a past. Who doesn't? Some are uglier than others. Who cares? If Korah's boys can rise above their past to author such beautiful passages in Scripture, you can bet that God's grace and strength will enable you to fulfill your purpose.