Our God has a choice. He has the prerequisites He uses to choose, and I do not think there is any man on earth who has full knowledge of those prerequisites. He alone knows what He is looking for in the person of His choice. This becomes clearer as you study the Bible.
In 1 Samuel, when the Israelites requested a king like the nations around them, God was displeased, yet He consented and chose Saul. However, Saul was not completely obedient to God, and he was eventually rejected. So God needed to provide another king. He sent Prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons.
Of course, Samuel, being human, assumed that physical appearance should play a major role, since a king would lead in battle. Saul was tall, head and shoulders above others, and to the natural eye, such a person easily commands obedience. Yet Samuel was surprised when God rejected Jesse’s sons, even though they were already part of the army and had the stature that seemed fitting for a king (1 Samuel 16:6–10). Seven of them were rejected because God saw something in their hearts that the human eye could not see.
In the Gospels, Jesus Himself chose the twelve disciples, and it is remarkable that He chose Judas Iscariot, knowing he would betray Him. From this, we can understand that God’s choice is sometimes tied to assignment, what He intends to accomplish determines whom He chooses (John 15:16–19; 1 Corinthians 1:27–29), so that no flesh should glory in His presence. He also chose the poor of this world who are rich in faith (James 2:5).
If some of us were God, we would not go near Paul (then Saul). He persecuted the church and consented to the death of Stephen. Like Ananias, we might try to convince God to leave him. But God, who sees the heart and the inner makeup of a man, said in Acts 9:15–16:
“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
Since we do not fully understand how God chooses, what then is the benefit of being chosen?
Psalm 65:4–5 says:
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea.”
When you are chosen:
1. You become God’s witness and servant.
2. You know and believe in Him.
3. You understand that before Him no god was formed, neither shall there be after Him.
4. You know that He alone is the Lord, and besides Him there is no savior.
5. You recognize that He is eternal, and no one can deliver out of His hand.
6. You understand that when He works, no one can hinder Him.
When God chooses, He enters into a covenant with the one He has chosen. Jeremiah 33:24–26 affirms the faithfulness of His covenant with His people.
God is not only concerned about the assignment but He is also concerned about the vessel He has chose. He desires to see you fulfilled. He will support you with all His power to make sure you reach your goal in life. His thoughts towards you are thought of good and not of evil. He is not a taskmaster that will just use you and discard you. He delights in your joy and fruitfulness. He delight to see you reach your full potential not only in the assignment but also in all areas of your life. He rejoices over you when you achieve much.
Now, a word of caution, if you are chosen:
* You must not be negligent (2 Chronicles 29:11).
* Recognize that it is a rare privilege to be chosen, for many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 20:16).
* You must honor God at all times. Being chosen does not mean you cannot be replaced. The same God who chooses can also remove and raise another. You cannot manipulate Him. He is sovereign. Ask Eli the priest (1 Samuel 2:12–36).
It is well.