God Looks At The Heart

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

Included in the story of 1 Samuel, the nation of Israel had been clamoring for a king to be like the other nations they’d encountered. They got their wishes when Saul was anointed king of Israel. Saul seemed to be the right man for the job. Saul was a striking figure - tall, confident, fearless in battle and that was attractive to a nation seeking to become a monarchy. But he wasn’t the right guy as it turned out. Saul had failed to obey and honor God. Because of Saul’s actions God intervened by sending Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a new king.

When Samuel came to Bethlehem, he met the sons of Jesse. Jesse presented each of his sons before Samuel, but the Lord didn’t accept any of them. I can imagine Samuel’s sizing them up - oldest to youngest first and then perhaps by stature or physical appearance. First impressions often motivate the selection process and Samuel must have thought out of the seven surely one of the sons was what God was looking for in the next king. The youngest son, David, was not present with the others as he was the one tending the sheep. David was summoned and as the scripture succinctly states – God instructed Samuel to anoint David to be king.

What can we learn from the differences between the first two kings of Israel? God finds possibilities for grace in the most unlikely of people. David was God’s choice – imperfect as he was, God knew his faithfulness. David was relentless in praying to know God more intimately. This shepherd developed a heart after God during his time alone in the fields and as Psalm 23 tells us, David acknowledged God as his Shepherd. This was a man seeking the heart of God – and God knew it!

Lord, thank You for this lesson about not relying on outward appearances and learning by the example of Saul that the heart of man can be deceitful. Help me to keep my mind fixed on Jesus, so that in all that I say and do, it will be You that flows through my actions. May I be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.