Ignored by Man, Chosen by God

Have you ever felt that you were overlooked or ignored…like you were a nobody? Well, take heart sister. You are not alone. Most of us have felt that way at one time or another.

I’ve been the girl not invited to the party, the kid not chosen for the team, the applicant not chosen for the job, the writer not chosen by the publisher, and the child not chosen by the parent.

In the Bible, we read the story of when the prophet Samuel went to anoint the next king of Israel. By God’s instruction, Samuel traveled to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse. He knew where to go and from what family the king would come.  He knew the next king would be one of Jesse’s sons…he just didn’t know which son.

Samuel arrived in Bethlehem and asked Jesse to bring all his sons out for his inspection. Jesse brought out each of his seven sons, one by one. As Samuel prayerfully approached each young man, God said, “No, that is not the one…no, that is not the one…no, that is not the one.”  Seven times God refused Jesse’s sons. Finally, exasperated and confused, Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“Oh yeah, I do have one more son,” Jesse said. “I almost forgot about him. Little David is out taking care of the sheep. I’ll send someone to get him.”

David was so insignificant to his own father that when the prophet requested an audience with all of his boys, the dad didn’t even think to invite him. Let that sink in a minute.

However, he was the very one God had selected to be the next ruler of His chosen people. How exciting!

You may have felt overlooked, disregarded, and ignored, but God has chosen you! “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him,” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV).  And that means you.

Ponder these verses…

• “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NIV)

• “In him we were also chosen having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV).

• “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33 NIV).

Friend, you have been handpicked by God Himself. Nothing could be better than that!

Dear Father, thank You that I am chosen and dearly loved. While there have been many times in my life where I was not chosen, I rejoice in the truth that You chose me! Me! Help me to be an encourager to those who feel neglected or discarded by those in their world. Open my eyes to see the lonely, to hear the rejected, to love the forgotten. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you believe you’re chosen, click comment and shout “I’m chosen!”

Think About This:

When was a time in your life you felt rejected?

The Bible says that we have a High Priest (Jesus) who has felt all the pain and suffering just as we have. How was Jesus rejected?

At the same time, how was Jesus chosen by God?

Consider writing down the verses in today’s devotion and post them somewhere you can see them often.

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