Not Qualified, Yet Still Chosen

I have been reading about Saul and his conversion over the past few days. I have been wondering why God calls such unqualified people to serve him.  “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong”. You may feel unqualified to serve God, but the light of Jesus Christ can shine through you, bursting God’s rays of light for all to see. Everyone will clearly see the Lord working through you. “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” When God shines through the weak, God will get the glory, not us.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
–1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)

There is a great song “Confidence” by Sanctus Real. The words of the song explain how we feel unqualified for what God is calling us to do. God uses broken people for God’s glory.

The song lyrics refer to biblical references of Daniel in the Lion’s Den, ‘So give me faith like Daniel in the lion’s den’. Daniel was put in the hungry lions den for the night, and was not harmed. “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions.” Daniel had unshakable faith in the Lord, even when faced with hungry lions.

At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
–Daniel 6:19-24 (NIV)

My daily worries seem so trivial compared to sitting next to a hungry lion for the night. God is with us, and it must be so peaceful having unshakeable faith in the Lord during times of distress. Instead of feeling terrified, you can trust in the Lord with all your heart and soul.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
–Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Confidence
Sanctus Real

I’m not a warrior
I’m too afraid to lose
I feel unqualified for what you’re calling me to
But Lord with your strength
I’ve got no excuse
‘Cause broken people are exactly who you use

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion’s den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence

You took a shepherd boy
And made him a King
So I’m gonna trust you and give you everything
I’ll be a conquerer
‘Cause you fight for me
I’ll be a champion claiming your victory

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion’s den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence
I’m gonna sing and shout and shake the walls
I won’t stop until I see ’em fall
Gonna stand up, step out when you call
Jesus, Jesus

I’m gonna sing and shout and shake the walls
I won’t stop until I see ’em fall
Gonna stand up, step out when you call
Jesus

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion’s den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence, yeah

Give me faith like Daniel in the lion’s den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence
I’ll face my giants with confidence

Songwriters: Matthew Ross Armstrong / Jordan Michael Bailey / Tony W. Wood
Confidence lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group