2 Kings 25: Left Behind

But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields. - 2 Kings 25: 12 NIV

It has always been true that the poorest remain, those that have nothing to offer are never taken into exile.  They have no talent, or so it would appear.

It is so easy today to feel left out. Christians are not a vibrant part of the culture any more.  They are not part of the intelligentsia.  Their influence on the arts is almost non-existent.  Today, a Christian is more likely to be a farmer or factory worker rather than a university professor.  They are more likely to be a house cleaner than a Hollywood star, a servant rather than the one being served.  Lest we become too disheartened, we need to remember that this is the way it has always been.  From the ratty bunch of brick makers that fled Egypt, to a rag tag group of fishermen and tax collectors, God's people have never been the acclaimed ones.  More often than not God's people have been the ones who were abased, but that has never meant that they were abandoned. 

But the Lord said to Samuel, “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 NIV

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. - 2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV

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. - 1 Cor. 1:27 NIV

These are the 'buts" of the gospel.  That is how God has always chosen to work. Instead of being rejected, the weak, the poor and unlovely are loved by the Father.  We need to remember that one day, we will not be the remnant, we will no longer be the ones left behind.