IGNORED BY MAN, CHOSEN BY GOD

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world (John 15:19 NIV).

Have you ever felt that you were overlooked or ignored ... like you were a nobody?  Well, take heart friend. You are not alone.

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 what family the king would come from. 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 of 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 all 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. However, David 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 by man, but make no mistake about it, you are chosen by God!

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).

Let's Pray

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 that You chose me!  Help me to be an encourager to others who may feel neglected or discarded by others.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.