Chosen by God

"He chose David His servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep He brought him to be the shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them." (Psalm 78:70-72)

- God chose and appointed David, a shepherd boy to be King and the shepherd of His people. An unlikely candidate! He was the youngest in his family and he was overlooked by his own family. But God picked him to be king whose lineage from which Jesus would come! God's choices may not make much sense to us but He knows what He is doing. "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b) People tend to make assumptions based on appearances. People are impressed by what they see. But God looks at the heart! "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed (loyal) to Him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a) He wants hearts that are fully committed to Him. He wants hearts with integrity. He wants leaders with a servant heart.

- Have you ever been treated as if you didn't exist, weren't wanted, or didn't matter? If so, you know the feeling. Remember this: You are chosen by God, you are loved by God, and you are treasured by God. God loves and cares for the insignificant, the overlooked, the lowly in status, and the outcast. God doesn't choose His servants for His tasks based on their resumes. The qualifications He looks for are different than what the world looks for. God uses F.A.T. people :). Faithful. Available. Teachable.

- No matter what your past/your background was, God can use you. The God who prepared David while he was tending the sheep has been preparing you and me throughout our lives. Don't discount your life experiences and skills. Psalm 78:70-72 shows that God was working in David's life from the beginning and using David's occupational skills for His glory and purposes. God equips those He calls.

- "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (Jeremiah 29:11) Sometimes, His plan for us involves waiting. David had to wait for 15 years from the time Samuel anointed him to the time he became king over Judah. Waiting time is not wasted time; it's time that God uses to prepare us and refine us for His divine plan/calling He has for our lives. It's God's heart-training and character-testing program. Wait upon the Lord! Have confidence in God's perfect timing!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so glad and thankful that You have loved me with an everlasting love and have chosen me before the foundation of the world! Please use me for Your glory and Your kingdom. Please help me to be patient and to trust You & Your timing when I get frustrated with having to wait. Change my heart, O God, to be like Yours! In Jesus's Name, I pray. Amen.