Sometimes it seems someone else's prayers get answered much faster than yours. You may even wonder why you struggle far more in life than another Christian.

But God does not play favorites. He does not show partiality nor respect one man over another. He does not respect one race over another. However, He does have callings on people's lives for service, and He will equip people for various functions that are different.

For example, I am persuaded that in the year 1980, Ronald Reagan was God's choice as president of the United States. He was chosen for that office. I am also persuaded that King David was chosen by God to be the ruler of Israel at a particular point, as was his son, Solomon, who followed him. I believe that the Jews were chosen by God to be the bearer of the Bible, and to be the ones through whom the Messiah was born. That does not mean that all of these people are God's favorites, but they are people called to do a job. God equips people to do work for Him, not because He is playing favorites but because He needs a job done. He gives certain people special tools to get the job done.

For example, if I want a building constructed, I will give some construction workers cranes to lift steel, bulldozers to grade land, trucks to haul supplies; and I will give them the steel, concrete, bricks, and mortar. The architects will receive none of these things. They have drawing pencils, easels, special lights, and computer equipment instead. The builders are not favored over the architects, nor the architects over the builders. Both have a task to perform, and the tools they receive reflect the demands of the task.

Hudson Taylor, founder of the old China Inland Mission, which is now Overseas Missionary Fellowship, was asked why God chose him. Taylor replied, "He looked until He found someone small enough to do the job." The Bible says God is not impressed with the strength of a horse or the legs of a man. He said that "on this one will I look; on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." What impresses God most is a person who will listen to His voice, be humbled before Him, and carry out His program.

Over the centuries, God has called some rather remarkable people. Moses was an extraordinary individual. He was mighty in word and deed in Egypt and was a powerful figure in Pharaoh's courts. The apostle Paul sat at the feet of the great teacher Gamaliel. He was heading toward being a leader in Judaism. Billy Graham is obviously a very gifted individual. He could have been a success in any field he chose. He was a top salesman before devoting his life to the ministry.

God takes skills that He has already put in someone's possession and then strengthens them for His glory. Humility, more than natural ability, qualifies a person for God's service. Moses spent forty years in the palace of Pharaoh. He needed forty years of humiliation on the "back side of the desert" before he was ready to lead God's people. Saul of Tarsus was a leader of Israel, but it required time in the desert., in prison, and in countless tribulations to form the apostle Paul.

If you would be favored by God, seek humility, seek obedience, seek a broken and contrite heart. These things He will not despise.