The Last, The Least, The Lost
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.””
(1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)
Vision For Mission: Inspiring Updates From Multiply’s Global Lead Team
Vic Wiens, Interim General Director
Recently, I started my day by reading three similar stories that strengthened my vision for mission. They were about the last, the least and the lost.
First, I read the story of David's calling in I Samuel 16. He was Jesse's last son, but God's first choice. "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (v. 7). David didn't even make the line-up for Samuel's selection of a king, but God was preparing this shepherd boy for a great mission.
Second, in our Daily Prayer Guide, I read the story of my friend, VR, who lives in Odessa, Ukraine. This brother is well into his sixties, soft-spoken, and slight of build. His outward appearance is not dynamic, but VR is fearless and fruitful in evangelizing among the least reached. No sacrifice is too great for him to share the Good News of Jesus, including living in a hostel.
Third, VR shared the story of Arturo, a lost soul who was poor, sick, and abandoned. Arturo was lost to the world, but not to VR, and not to God. VR befriended Arturo, nursed him back to health, and led him to saving faith in the One who died for him. Today, Arturo is walking the streets of Odessa and witnessing to Christ.
When I was a missionary in Brazil, I remember one family of four. The two daughters came to faith in Christ and joined our church. Their father, Antonio, was the town drunk. I thought to myself at the time, “How pathetic, but at least his daughters have come to faith and someday maybe their mother.” Years later when I visited that church, I was astonished to see Antonio again, this time altogether sober, well-dressed, joining in joyful praise and reverent prayer. I felt ashamed. I didn’t have faith for such a lost cause, the least likely, and the last of the last. But his girls did, and so did others in that young church.
No one is beyond God’s saving grace! Jesus said, “Whatever you do for one of the least of these … you do for me!” Never, ever, give up on anyone!
Please join us in prayer:
To never give up on the last, the least, and the lost all around us.
For vision to see people the way God sees them and feel his heart for them.
For a new generation of workers to come forth, then go into the highways and byways with God’s amazing grace.