God Doesn’t Choose the Obvious: What We Miss About Anointing

 

When Samuel went to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king, he almost made a mistake.

He saw Eliab, tall, strong, and kingly, and immediately thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed.”

But God interrupted his assumption.

“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.
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

Even prophets can be tempted by appearances. Even those close to God can lean into what looks right instead of what is right. This is why God’s selection often surprises us. He chooses based on heart posture, not human perception.

The Pattern of God’s Choosing

Throughout Scripture, God rarely picks the obvious.

He chose Gideon, the least in his family, hiding in fear.
He called Moses, slow of speech, to speak before Pharaoh.
He picked David, a forgotten shepherd boy, to be king.
He anointed Mary, a young virgin in obscurity, to carry the Savior.

He still does the same today.

God is not looking for the loudest, the most followed, or the most polished. He’s looking for the willing. The humble. The ones He can trust in private before promoting in public.

Anointing Is Not Always Announced

Sometimes the anointed one is still in the field.

You may not have the platform, the followers, or the applause, but God sees you. He knows your heart. He sees how you worship when no one claps. How you stay faithful when you feel forgotten. How you say yes to hard things in hidden places.

That is what qualifies you for the call.

The anointing is not about what people see. It is about what God is doing behind the scenes.

What This Means for You

If you’ve been overlooked, misjudged, or dismissed, you’re in good company. Heaven’s pattern has always been to elevate the humble and bypass the obvious.

You do not need the validation of man to walk in the anointing of God.

In fact, the more hidden you have been, the more dangerous your calling likely is. God has been refining you away from distractions, away from applause, and into alignment with Him.

Reflection Questions:

Have I ever assumed God’s will based on appearances or popular opinion?

Am I willing to be chosen by God even if I’m not recognized by people?

What private spaces is God using to prepare me for public purpose?

Encouragement

God doesn’t choose the obvious. He chooses the obedient.

If you’ve been wondering why you’ve been hidden, unseen, or underestimated, don’t despise it. That is often the first sign of divine selection.

You may not look like the part to others. But God sees the part He placed inside you.

And when the time comes, He will bring you from the field to the forefront. Not because you demanded it, but because your heart made room for it.

Prayer

Father,
Thank You for not choosing the obvious. Thank You for seeing beyond what man sees. I surrender my desire to be seen, picked, or applauded by others. Shape my heart to reflect Yours. Prepare me in the field. Anoint me in obscurity. And when You call, let me be found faithful — not because I looked the part, but because I became who You designed me to be.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Redeemed by Grace. Rooted in Faith. Living on Purpose.
Stay rooted. Stay renewed. You are trusted by God.

S.A.Briddell