God Qualifies the Called

When you look at your weakness and wonder why He chose you.

For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: that no flesh should boast before God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Lord, I don’t feel qualified. I look at my past, my weaknesses, and my lack of training, and I wonder why You’d choose me. But You say You chose the weak things of the world on purpose. Thank You that You don’t need me to be impressive. Use me as I am, and make me ready along the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Moses said he was slow of speech. God asked who made his mouth.

Moses said to Yahweh, “O Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” Yahweh said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn’t it I, Yahweh? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.” Exodus 4:10-12

Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.” But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Yahweh. Jeremiah 1:6-8

God, like Moses, I want to say I’m not good enough. I’m slow of speech, I’m afraid, and I’d rather someone else did it. But You said You would be with my mouth and teach me what to say. So I’ll say yes. Send me, and give me what I lack. I’ll trust You to do the qualifying. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God called Gideon a mighty man while he was hiding.

Yahweh’s angel appeared to him, and said to him, “Yahweh is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Gideon said to him, “Oh, my lord, if Yahweh is with us, why then has all this happened to us? Where are all his wondrous works which our fathers told us of, saying, ‘Didn’t Yahweh bring us up from Egypt?’ But now Yahweh has cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” Yahweh looked at him, and said, “Go in this your might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Haven’t I sent you?” Judges 6:12-14

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Lord, You called Gideon a mighty man of valor while he was hiding. Call me the person You see, not the person I see. Remind me that I’m Your workmanship, created for good works You prepared ahead of time. Give me courage to start. Let me walk in what You made me for. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God looks at the heart, not the résumé.

But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Father, thank You that You look at the heart. I’ve been measuring myself by how I look, what I’ve done, and how I compare. You chose a shepherd boy no one expected. Teach me to value what You value. Make my heart faithful and willing, and use it however You like. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Before the day starts, say yes again.

Lord, before the day starts, remind me that You called me, and that You will equip me. Give me the courage to do what’s in front of me, even if I feel unprepared. Keep me from comparing myself to anyone. I’m available. Use me. In Jesus’ name, amen.