I Samuel 13:2
“Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes.”
Sometimes we’re chosen, sometimes we aren’t. It doesn’t appear that there was any sort of audition. The task was war. The leaders of communities were most likely helpful in choosing those that were warrior-like.
Those that weren’t picked shouldn’t feel badly. It’s not their fault that they aren’t a particular type. They would be supportive and assist at home. I think of George Bailey from it’s a Wonderful. He organized tire drives and patrolled neighborhoods as a watchman.
From childhood, some feel badly for not being chosen for teams. Those that are more athletic rule the playground. However those same playground leaders may not accel in academics and feel uncomfortable in the classroom. Most people have some arena in which they feel insecure. Most can recall an uncomfortable feeling of not being chosen.
This is part of how friends are made. People tend to gravitate to groups that accept them. In friendship attempts there are many small rejections. Most find a place to fit in. We learn to not let the situations that don’t work out bother us. Easier said than done. Not every situation works out the way we want.
God uses all these circumstances of life so we learn to trust Him. The disappointments are there to mature us and to make us more dependent on Him. I Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for us.” All of the stuff of life that disrupts us, we are to put at His feet. We won’t always understand everything. We give those times to Him as well.
Romans 8:28 is a wonderful promise that addresses all of the happenings of life. There is much we don’t understand and many things that are disappointing. “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” The words “all things” are all inclusive. We don’t understand all the whys. We need to give the confusion to Him as well.
When we give these things to the Lord, He rewards us with peace. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:7).
Lord, thank You that You’ve got us. Even in the times when we aren’t chosen and feel rejected. Help us to cast our cares upon You