Why does God choose the least likely to succeed? by “Brother Bill”
Here’s a collection of NKJV Bible verses showing how God chooses and helps the least likely, raising them up to accomplish His purposes. These examples remind us that God looks at the heart, not status, appearance, or ability.
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1. David vs. Goliath – The Overlooked Shepherd Becomes King
1 Samuel 17:45-47
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts… Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 16:7
“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
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2. Saul of Tarsus (Paul) – From Murderer to Missionary
1 Timothy 1:15-16
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy…
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
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3. Moses – From Fugitive to Deliverer
Exodus 4:10-12
Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the Lord said to him… “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
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4. Joshua – The Assistant Who Became a Conqueror
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
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5. Joseph – From Slave and Prisoner to Ruler
Genesis 50:20
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…”
Genesis 41:41
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
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6. Samson – Blinded but Empowered Again
Judges 16:28-30
Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once…” So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.
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7. Solomon – Not the Oldest, but Chosen for Wisdom and Kingship
1 Kings 3:7-9
“I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in… Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people.”
1 Kings 3:12
“Behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart…”
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8. Abraham and Sarah – From Infertility to Nations
Genesis 17:5
“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.”
Genesis 18:14
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you… and Sarah shall have a son.”
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9. Hannah – From Barren to Mother of a Prophet
1 Samuel 1:10-11
And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord… and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me…”
1 Samuel 1:20
So it came to pass… that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel…
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10. Mary – Humble Virgin, Chosen for the Messiah
Luke 1:46-48
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord… For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.”
Luke 1:37
“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
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Summary Verse:
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise… the weak… the base… and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
⸻ Absolutely. Here’s how Scripture (NKJV) powerfully shows that God’s chosen people were small like grasshoppers in their own eyes, but when they trusted in Him, they were unstoppable. When they forgot His purpose or feared man, they fell—but when they relied on God, they conquered against all odds.
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When God’s People Felt Small and Fearful1. Like Grasshoppers in Their Own Sight
Numbers 13:32–33 (NKJV)
“The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants… There we saw the giants… and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
This shows their self-perception of weakness when they forgot God’s promise.⸻
2. Fear Replaces Faith When God’s Purpose is Lost
Deuteronomy 1:28 (NKJV)
“Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, ‘The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven.’”
Discouragement led to disobedience. They wandered 40 years because they believed the fearful majority rather than God’s word.⸻
But When They Trusted God, They Were Invincible3. Caleb and Joshua Speak in Faith
Numbers 14:8–9 (NKJV)
“If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us… Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us.”
Two saw through spiritual eyes—they knew with God, giants fall like bread.⸻
4. Jericho Falls Without a Fight
Joshua 6:2, 20 (NKJV)
“And the Lord said to Joshua: ‘See! I have given Jericho into your hand…’ So the people shouted… and the wall fell down flat.”
Obedience and faith in God’s power made an impossible city fall without weapons.⸻
5. Victory by the Hand of a Few
Judges 7:2 (NKJV)
And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself…”
God reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300 men so all would know He alone gives victory.⸻
When They Forgot God Again, Fear Returned6. Trusting in Horses and Chariots Instead of God
Isaiah 31:1 (NKJV)
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help… who trust in chariots because they are many… but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!
When they sought human strength, God let them fall into enemy hands.⸻
God Always Honors Those Who Trust Him7. One Can Chase a Thousand
Deuteronomy 32:30 (NKJV)
How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had surrendered them?
Victory was always by God’s strength—not numbers.⸻
8. God Fights for You
Exodus 14:13–14 (NKJV)
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord… The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
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9. If God Is for Us…
Romans 8:31 (NKJV)
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
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Summary: • Without God, they saw themselves as grasshoppers—small, scared, and stuck.
• With God, they were a firebrand nation—walking through seas, conquering giants, and taking cities by faith.
Sooo when God calls us chosen it’s not because we are better but more needy..
It’s all good is him not me. Sooo being chosen is not a badge of courage but a sign of great need for God’s help.
Blessings brother bill/dad
About the Author
Mychal Massie
Mychal S. Massie is an ordained minister who spent 13 years in full-time Christian Ministry. Today he serves as founder and Chairman of the Racial Policy Center (RPC), a think tank he officially founded in September 2015. RPC advocates for a colorblind society. He was founder and president of the non-profit “In His Name Ministries.” He is the former National Chairman of a conservative Capitol Hill think tank; and a former member of the think tank National Center for Public Policy Research. Read entire bio here
