Josiah Queen - Use Me Lyrics
Lyrics
I read you used loaves and bread
Raise the dead with what you said
So I know that's what you do
I've seen you use men like me
To free the slaves and part the seas
So I know that's what you can do
You make weak things strong
You give bones their flesh
Oh, I believe you can use me
You make poor men rich
And give dead men breathe
Oh, I believe you can use me
When tragedy is all I see
Drowning in anxiety
I'll trust it's in Your hands
A pain so real it moves my feet
My soul sings a melody
I trust it's in Your hands
You make weak things strong
You give bones their flesh
Oh, I believe you can use me
You make poor men rich
And give dead men breathe
Oh, I believe you can use me
Just like Moses
Just like Peter
Just like David
And Elijah
Just like my Momma
And my Father
If you can use them, You can use me
Just like my Pastor
Sunday school Teacher
Front door Greeter
Student Leader
Just like the missionary
Or the one who cleans the sanctuary
If you can use them, you can use me
You make weak things strong
You give bones their flesh
Oh, I believe you can use me
You make poor men rich
And give dead men breathe
Oh, I believe you can use me
I believe you can use me
Oh, I believe you can use me
Video
Use Me- Josiah Queen (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released as a standalone single on October 28, 2022, Josiah Queen’s “Use Me” immediately establishes itself as a profound declaration of surrender and faith. The song dives headfirst into the inherent power and transformative nature of God, not as a distant observer, but as an active participant in the lives of humanity. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of divine capabilities, drawing directly from biblical narratives: the miraculous feeding of the multitude with just a few loaves and bread, and the raising of the dead. These are not abstract concepts but tangible demonstrations of God's ability to bring life from desolation, a foundational truth that underpins Queen’s entire message. The recognition that God has historically “used men like me” – referencing monumental acts such as freeing slaves and parting seas, echoing the exodus led by Moses – serves as the immediate springboard for the songwriter’s personal plea for involvement.
The core of "Use Me" revolves around a deeply personal and relational understanding of God's work. Queen articulates a profound belief that the same power that revitalizes the weak, strengthens the feeble, and enriches the impoverished is available and eager to work through him. The repeated refrain, "You make weak things strong, you give bones their flesh... you make poor men rich, and give dead men breathe," isn't just an observation of God's character, but an invitation for that character to be expressed through the singer. This resonates powerfully with verses like Jeremiah 32:17, which proclaims, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." The song’s narrative then shifts to acknowledge the omnipresence of hardship and anxiety, stating, "When tragedy is all I see, drowning in anxiety." Yet, even in these moments of intense personal struggle, there is a steadfast trust that God’s hands are ultimately in control. This trust is not passive resignation but an active faith that transforms suffering into a catalyst for spiritual expression, where the soul sings a melody even amidst pain. This echoes the sentiment of Romans 8:28, which assures believers that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
The song’s most compelling section is the extended litany of biblical and personal figures who have been instruments of God's will. Queen begins by invoking the grand figures of scripture: Moses, Peter, David, and Elijah, all individuals marked by extraordinary divine encounters and purposes. He then brings this concept closer to home, referencing his own mother and father, acknowledging that if God could use them, then surely He can use him. This humility is further amplified by referencing ordinary members of the church community: the pastor, the Sunday school teacher, the front door greeter, the student leader, the missionary, and even the one who cleans the sanctuary. This expansive list underscores the central thesis: that God is not limited by status, talent, or past achievements, but seeks willing hearts. It's a direct application of principles found in 1 Corinthians 1:27, which states, "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." The song culminates in a passionate repetition of the desire to be used, a fervent prayer born from a deep understanding of God's boundless capacity and His desire to partner with His creation in bringing His kingdom to bear on earth. The unwavering conviction, "Oh, I believe you can use me," is a testament to the redemptive and empowering nature of faith, a message that resonates profoundly for anyone seeking to understand their purpose within God's grand design.