Have you ever experienced that nagging feeling of never enoughness?
David is a well-known biblical figure. This is for a good reason: we see him grow from a young boy to impulsive teen (1 Samuel 17), to mighty king (2 Samuel 5:4), to faltering sinner (2 Samuel 11), to recommitted man of God (2 Samuel 23:1). Much of his life is told in detail in Scripture, and in each chapter, we recognize the voices that tried to tear him down and those that built him up.
His story begins in 1 Samuel 16, when God sends out Samuel to anoint a new king over Israel from Jesse’s sons. Samuel invited Jesse’s sons to the sacrifice and the upcoming feast. When he saw Eliab, he thought, “Yep, this is the guy!” However, God said, “Nope.” God isn’t interested in how good someone looks; he is interested in one's heart. So Samuel went through son after son, and God still said, “Nope, not the one.” Samuel asked if there were any more sons. Sure enough, the youngest was still out tending the sheep. David arrived—healthy, handsome, and with a twinkle in his eye. This was the guy. He would be anointed and the Spirit of the Lord would be with him from that moment on.
You see, God wasn’t calling someone who looked like a king. He wanted someone who had a king’s heart. David was an unexpected choice. The fact that he wasn’t invited to the sacrificial feast or even presented by his father to Samuel shows the low regard David had among his own family. First, his father doesn’t even mention him by name. It wasn’t because David’s character or conduct was unworthy, it was simply because he was the youngest of eight sons - often overlooked. This is often how God chooses. In 1 Corinthians 1:26, Paul wrote that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.
God often chooses the unexpected. When we measure our worth and purpose by others’ opinions, we can get bogged down in our inadequacies. But we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and immeasurably valued by the God of the universe!
The Bible is full of people who were underestimated (Esther), ill equipped (Moses), rejected by the ones with power (Jesus), and considered nobodies (David). But God had purpose for them in incredible ways, and they serve as an encouragement to us to remember what voices to let into our lives and which to shake off.
Our identity cannot be based on our performance, appearance, or popularity, because circumstances can change quickly. The only thing that holds fast is a God who loves us, who created us with intention and purpose, and delights in us.
You are enough and you were made for such a time as this. Good enough to be all that He has called you to be. Good enough to hang out with and be friends with. Good enough to be noticed. And good enough to be loved deeply. We have to stop letting each other label one another. We are all walking the same road in this great Christian race but it is not a competition, as some think.
Kindness is something I personally crave more of and worthiness and encouragement is something that needs to be spoken over people more often. So just as you do not like bullies, let’s make sure we, ourselves, aren’t one of those for someone else. Let’s make sure we aren’t the reason someone else feels unworthy, less than, not good enough. We ought to be better at reminding others that they are God’s masterpiece and are worthy of every good thing He has.
Because following Jesus should change how we act.
When we position ourselves to be more like Christ, we begin to view ourselves and others differently - with more kindness and compassion, and I think this world could use a whole lot more of that.
Being grounded in God’s Word and knowing what He says about you is a sure way to kick any thoughts or feelings of unworthiness to the curb for good. I encourage you to find what He says about you in the Bible and speak it over yourself daily until you believe it. Here are a few to start with:
Ephesians 2:10 His workmanship
1 john 3:1 children of God
2 Corinthians 5:17 a new creation
Romans 9:25 His beloved
Isaiah 43:4 precious in His eyes, honored and loved by Him
Luke 12:6-7 of more value than many sparrows
Psalms 139:13-14 fearfully and wonderfully made
