Who was Noah before God called him? He was a simple, good man who lived among an increasingly evil people. God called Noah to build an ark when Noah was 600 years old, and God promised to bless him.
Who was Abraham before God called him? Abraham was living in the land of the Chaldees when God called him at 75-years old to take his family and travel to Canaan, where God promised to bless Abraham.
Who was Esther before God called her? Esther was an orphan child being raised by her cousin, Mordecai. They were Jews living in the capital city of the Persian Empire when God placed Esther in a position to save the entire nation of Israel from extermination.
Who was Ruth before God called her? Ruth was a Moabite widow who left her homeland and followed Naomi, her mother-in-law, to Bethlehem. Ruth became a lowly fieldhand gleaning grain from the edges of a field to survive. It was only then that God placed Ruth in a position to meet and marry Boaz and become the great-grandmother of David.
Who was David before God called him? David was the youngest of seven boys. He was a simple shepherd, only 15-years old when God sent Samuel to anoint him as king over the people of Israel.
Who were the brothers Peter and Andrew, and James and John when Jesus called them? All four were probably only teenagers under 18-years old, and they were all lowly fishermen tending their nets when Jesus called them to be His disciples.
Who Does God Call?
God calls people of all ages. You are never too young or too old to be called by God.
God calls both men and women. Look around. God is calling men and women all around the world.
God calls people without regard to their vocation. It doesn’t matter to God if you are a street sweeper or a CEO. He calls people from all walks of life.
God calls people without regard to their standing in society. Don’t think for a minute that God only calls people at the top of the social ladder. He calls simple shepherds as well as kings.
Here’s why God calls people without regard to their sex, age, vocation, or standing in society. God looks not on the outward person but our hearts!
The prophet Samuel explained God’s choice in calling David to be a future king over the people of Israel saying,
“People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
God sees the heart of the person He calls. He sees their willingness to follow Him.
God told Noah to build an ark and promised to bless him, but the blessing didn’t come until long after Noah followed God’s instructions to build the ark.
God told Abraham to gather his belongings and his family and travel to an unknown land where God would then bless them. The blessing to Abraham came after he followed God’s instructions.
God directed Mordecai to give instructions to his young cousin Esther, and because they both followed God’s direction, Esther saved the Israelite nation from annihilation.
God directed Samuel to anoint young David king over Israel. Luke records God’s description of David as “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22).
Jesus called Peter and Andrew and James and John to be His disciples when they were fishing. They immediately put down their nets and followed him.
Do you see the pattern here? It doesn’t matter who you are in the world’s eye. It only matters who you are in God’s eye! What matters is if we are ready and willing to answer God’s call.
When the Lord described to Isaiah the terrible situation Israel had gotten themselves into, God asked the question, “Whom shall I send” to save them? And Isaiah answered, “Here I am. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8).
Isaiah was willing and ready to answer God’s call to serve Him and His people.
I must ask myself, “Am I willing and ready to answer God’s call whenever it comes?”
I pray that I am.
Are you willing and ready?
I pray that you are as well.
More Articles on Obedience to God
I’ve written other articles on Obedience to God. Here are three of my favorites. If you want even more search the website for “Obedience to God.”
#191: It Takes Character & Courage to be Used by God
#210: Are Ordinary People Made Extraordinary by Following God’s Purpose?
#235: Will God Still Use Me If I Mess Up?
Join the Conversation
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Category: Personal Development | Obedience to God
God calls people from all walks of life, education and accomplishment. I’ve met priests who walked away from corporate America for a higher calling, and volunteer police chaplains who minister to people in their time of need. It’s easy for us to become self absorbed creatures, but always there is that quiet voice, whispering, “Listen to your heart. Help others, and you will find a deeper fulfillment.” As always, Ron, thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks, John. It’s all about having the courage to be who God called us to be!