What Does It Mean When God Calls the Unqualified?

Recently, I had the privilege of being one of the juries for a highly competitive scholarship program for the university where I teach communications. This program is designed to identify and reward the brightest students all over Cambodia with full scholarships at our university who would be majoring in architecture, fashion, business, and IT. The process was rigorous, candidates faced three challenging rounds: written exams, interviews, and public speaking sessions before a panel of jurors. Only the best of the best qualified for the coveted 100% scholarships. 

These students represented Cambodia’s future leaders, visionaries, and innovators. As I listened to their speeches and assessed their performances, I couldn’t help but think about the concept of "qualification." These students worked hard to prove their worth and ability to earn their scholarships. But as I reflected, I was reminded of how, in God's kingdom, the concept of qualification looks entirely different.

God does not call us because of our qualifications. Instead, He qualifies the people He calls. It's a strong reality that has influenced many people's lives throughout history, and it serves as a reminder of God's grace—calling unqualified individuals has always been His expertise as shared on this online devotional here 👉 Daily Devotions

What Does It Mean When God Calls the Unqualified?

In the world, qualification often means proving your skills, experience, and competence. It’s about showing that you’ve earned your place, whether it’s in a job, a university, or a competition. However, when it comes to God’s work, the qualifications He looks for are not based on our resumes or abilities. Instead, God calls ordinary, often flawed, people and equips them to fulfill His extraordinary purposes.

When God calls the unqualified, it’s an invitation to trust Him fully, despite our weaknesses. His calling is not based on our own merits but on His divine plan and ability to work through us.

1 Corinthians 1:27 reminds us: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

Throughout the Bible, we see this truth lived out as God uses ordinary people—those who, by the world’s standards, were unqualified—to carry out His plans. Their stories teach us that our weaknesses don’t disqualify us. Instead, they set the stage for God’s strength to be revealed.

Five Examples of God Calling the Unqualified

Let’s take a look at five people from the Bible who were considered unqualified by worldly standards, yet were used by God to fulfill His purposes.

1. Moses: The Insecure Leader

Moses is one of the greatest leaders in the Bible, but when God first called him, he felt completely inadequate. Moses doubted his ability to speak and lead, telling God that he wasn’t the right person for the job (Exodus 4:10-12). But God reassured Moses, saying, “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Moses’s story reminds us that when God calls us, He will also provide what we need to succeed.

2. Gideon: The Fearful Warrior

Gideon was called by God to lead Israel against the Midianites. However, Gideon came from the weakest clan in Israel and saw himself as the least in his family. He doubted God’s calling and asked for multiple signs to confirm it (Judges 6:15-17). Despite Gideon’s insecurities, God used him to lead Israel to victory, showing that it’s not about our strength but God’s power at work in us.

3. David: The Overlooked Shepherd Boy

David was a young shepherd boy when God chose him to be the king of Israel. He wasn’t even considered by his own family as a potential king. But God doesn’t look at outward appearances; He looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Despite being unqualified by human standards, David became one of Israel’s greatest kings, known for his heart after God.

4. Rahab: The Redeemed Prostitute

Rahab, a prostitute living in Jericho, seemed like an unlikely candidate for God’s plan. Yet she played a crucial role in helping the Israelite spies and ultimately in the conquest of Jericho (Joshua 2:1-21). Rahab’s faith in God saved her and her family, and she became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Her story reminds us that no past is too broken for God to use.

5. Peter: The Impulsive Fisherman

Peter was an ordinary fisherman when Jesus called him to follow Him. Throughout the Gospels, Peter’s impulsiveness and failures are evident, including his denial of Jesus three times (Luke 22:61-62). Yet, Jesus saw potential in Peter and eventually used him as a foundational leader in the early church. Peter’s story shows that failure doesn’t disqualify us from being used by God.

The Importance of Obedience in Doing God’s Work

Being called by God doesn’t mean that the path will be easy. Obedience is crucial when God calls us, especially when we feel unqualified. Often, God calls us into situations that are beyond our abilities so that we are forced to rely on Him.

1. Obedience Leads to Growth

Just as muscles grow when they are stretched beyond their comfort zone, our faith grows when we step out in obedience. When we trust God enough to follow His call, despite our doubts or inadequacies, we experience spiritual growth.

Bible Verse: “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.” – Isaiah 1:19

Prayer: “Lord, help me to trust You even when I don’t feel capable. I believe that in obedience, You will strengthen me.”

2. Obedience Brings God’s Favor

Throughout the Bible, we see that those who obey God’s calling experience His favor and blessing. Even when the task seems impossible, God rewards obedience.

Bible Verse: “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.” – Psalm 128:1

Prayer: “Father, guide me in obedience, that I may walk in Your favor and blessing.”

3. Obedience Requires Faith

Stepping out in obedience often means walking by faith and not by sight. It means trusting that God will equip us along the way, even when we can’t see the full picture.

Bible Verse: “For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7

Prayer: “Lord, increase my faith. Help me to trust You fully as I step out in obedience to Your call.”

4. Obedience is an Act of Worship

When we obey God, we are not just following instructions—we are worshiping Him with our lives. Obedience is a form of surrender, acknowledging that God’s ways are higher than our own.

Bible Verse: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” – 1 Samuel 15:22

Prayer: “God, let my obedience be an offering of worship to You. Help me to honor You with every step of faith I take.”

5. Obedience Brings Transformation

When we obey God’s calling, we are transformed, and so are the people around us. God uses our obedience to bring His plans to fruition, not just in our own lives, but in the lives of others.

Bible Verse: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

Prayer: “Lord, transform me as I obey Your Word. May my obedience bring glory to You and impact those around me.”

Reflections and Related News in Cambodia

As I reflect on the scholarship competition, I see parallels between these students' journeys and the spiritual truths we’ve discussed. They worked hard, passed through multiple stages of testing, and showed their dedication to qualify for the scholarship. In a way, their perseverance mirrors the perseverance we are called to show in our walk with God. However, unlike these students, God’s call on our lives isn’t based on merit—it’s based on His grace.

Here in Cambodia, we see many examples of people striving to improve their lives through education, business, and personal development. Yet, in God’s kingdom, He often uses those whom the world overlooks—the unqualified, the weak, and the broken. The power of God is made perfect in our weakness, and that’s a message that resonates deeply with the realities many Cambodians face today. In a country where economic struggles and limited resources are everyday challenges, God’s ability to use the “least” of us offers hope.

Embrace God’s Call, No Matter Your Qualifications

If you feel unqualified, inadequate, or unworthy of God’s call, remember this: God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. Just as He used Moses, Gideon, David, Rahab, and Peter, He can use you. All He asks for is obedience, faith, and a willing heart.

In Cambodia, as we continue to work, serve, and grow in our faith, let’s hold on to the truth that our qualifications come from God. He equips us for every good work, and through Him, we can accomplish far more than we ever imagined.

**Images credited to Limkokwing University Cambodia 

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