| “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. 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 16:7
In 1 Samuel 16, God sends Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel. When Samuel arrives, he sees David’s older brothers, men who were stronger, taller, and more impressive by human standards. But God tells Samuel that none of them are “the one.” Instead, David, the youngest, the one left tending sheep, is chosen. David wasn’t the most popular, wasn’t in the spotlight, and didn’t have a prestigious title. But God saw something in David that others didn’t—his heart. Being ‘the one’ isn’t about where you started or how others see you. It’s not about having the best childhood, being the most successful, or even having everything together. It’s about having a heart that is after God. David’s story shows us that God doesn’t choose based on what the world values but on what He sees in us, even when others overlook us. You may have experienced hardships, rejection, or felt left out, but God has a way of pulling you in. He chooses you not just because He loves you, but because you love Him. Your struggles, setbacks, and imperfections don’t disqualify you from being chosen; they qualify you because they’ve drawn you closer to God. |
| But being the one goes even deeper. Just like the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), we see that we aren’t just the ones chosen by God—we are the ones He pursues. When we stray, He leaves the 99 to bring us back. When we wander, God doesn’t give up on us. He comes after us, showing that His love is relentless, no matter where we are or what we’ve done.
Today, remember that being “the one” means you’re chosen by God, not because you are perfect, but because your heart is open to Him. If you’ve been blessed with a good life, thank God and use your blessings for His glory. If you’ve faced rejection, pain, or felt forgotten, know that God has chosen you and is pursuing you, right where you are. Lord, thank You for seeing my heart when others may not. Help me to remember that being ‘the one’ doesn’t depend on my past or others’ opinions, but on Your love and my pursuit of You. Thank You for chasing after me, even when I wander. May I live each day as one who is chosen, loved, and called by You, in Jesus’ name, amen. |
