THE PERSON GOD CHOOSES

“For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7b)

It is a fact that the better looking you are, the greater your chances of opportunity to be successful.  According to an article from Business Insider, “Studies have shown that attractive people are usually hired sooner, get promotions more quickly, and are paid more than their less-attractive coworkers.”  One has to deliver results, but the door is opened wider for those with appealing features of face and form.

That is not how God chooses the person He uses, however.  If that were true, then the first King of Israel would have been the greatest king, for Saul was Hollywood handsome.  Scripture tells us that the people were eager to select him as their ruler for he towered over them.  Sadly, his physical stature was not matched by his spiritual development—and with God that is what matters.  Saul was disqualified from service because of his sinfulness, while David was chosen as, “a man after God’s own heart,” (1 Sam.13:14).

God would speak to His messenger, Samuel, who in turn would set David aside for divine service.  God still does this. When He called me to preach, He did not speak to me in an audible voice, nor send an angel down with a word from heaven.  Rather, as I listened to His men faithfully proclaim His Word, my heart was opened to His call.  Are you listening?

Who would have thought that a shepherd boy would be a king?  Seven sons of Jesse were summoned, yet none were chosen.  In fact, when Samuel saw the eldest coming, he was impressed with his features and thought Eliab must be the one.  That would have been the same mistake which elected the current failed leader, Saul.  Here is the spiritual principle:

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  ‎But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.  (1 Cor.1:26-29)

I never cease to be amazed that God would call me to shepherd His flock—few would have seemed less qualified—but, when He chooses and uses one like me, then He receives all the glory.

The Spirit of God departed from Saul and rested on David.  David’s anointing with oil was an outward representation of an inward reality.  Spiritual work demands spiritual power.  The work of God cannot be accomplished by human ingenuity and ability—not natural talent, but supernatural strength is required.

Are you a person God can use?  Devote your heart fully to Him.  Wherever you are and whatever you do, seek to please Him and labor for the Lord.  Others may ignore you.  God knows where you are and He can get you where you need to be.  We do not have to promote ourselves.  A sovereign God selects us.  It is not our ability, but our availability that God is looking for—to anoint with His Spirit and appoint to His service.  The key question is, “Do I have a heart for God?”