LENT Day 21

Lent Devotional

Day 21 - Friday, March 13, 2026

"You Are Still Chosen"

Author: Pastor Ryan Roberts

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Scripture: John 15:16 & 1 Peter 2:9

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 (NIV)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Rejection is one of the hardest feelings to deal with. When someone overlooks you, passes you up, or leaves you out, it can make you feel like you don’t matter. But the Bible tells a different story. In the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel was sent by God to anoint the next king of Israel. He went to the house of Jesse, and Jesse gathered all of his sons. One by one they stood before Samuel. The oldest, strongest, most impressive sons walked past him. And one by one God said, “No.”

Samuel even thought surely the oldest son had to be the one. He looked the part. He seemed like the obvious choice. But God reminded Samuel of something important:

“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 (NIV)

Finally Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse answered, “Well… there is still the youngest. But he’s out in the fields taking care of the sheep.” They hadn’t even thought to bring David in. While everyone else stood inside hoping to be chosen, David was outside doing the unnoticed work.

Imagine being the older brothers. They had the position, the strength, the appearance but God passed them by. Because God’s choice isn’t a popularity contest. When David finally came in, God said, “That’s the one.”

The overlooked shepherd boy became the king. It’s the kind of story people love. It’s the “Cinderella story”. The one nobody expected. Cinderella was rejected by her own family and told she didn’t belong at the ball but in the end, the shoe fit. We see it in sports too. The team that barely sneaks into the tournament suddenly beats everyone and wins the championship.

The Bible is full of stories like that. Moses was a fugitive shepherd before God used him to lead Israel. David was the forgotten son in the field. Jesus Himself taught that “the first will be last, and the last will be first.” God has always had a habit of choosing the people others overlook.

So if you ever feel rejected…

If you feel like you’re in last place…

If you feel like everyone else got picked before you…

There is hope.

Jesus reminds us in John 15:16 that our identity is not based on who chooses us here on earth. He said:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” And Peter reminds us of who we are: “You are a chosen people… God’s special possession.”

Rejection may hurt, but it does not cancel your calling.

You are still chosen.

You are still loved.

You are still bought and paid for.

And God often does His greatest work through the people the world least expects.

Prayer

God, when rejection makes me doubt myself, remind me that You have already chosen me. Help me trust that You see my heart and that You still have a purpose for my life. Give me strength and courage when others overlook me. Amen.