Heart of the Matter

Scripture:

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (NASB)

Observation:

Because Saul, Israel’s first king, had openly defied God’s commands, the LORD told Samuel to anoint a new king for His people and this new king was to be chosen from the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. Like most humans, when Samuel saw the first of Jesse’s sons Eliab, he looked at Eliab’s appearance and thought that this must be God’s choice, but the LORD told him different. Samuel had to go through all of Jesse’s sons in order to find God’s choice for Israel’s next king. God knew that Jesse’s youngest son David was the right choice, because He knows each of us perfectly, both inside and out (Psalm 139:13-14).

Application:

God not only created us as physical beings, but because He breathed His breath of life into us (Genesis 2:7), we have a spiritual life as well. And it is because of this single act of love and compassion that we cannot hide anything from the LORD our God. He knows us far better than we know ourselves; He knows what is in our hearts and minds. Our God is so much more than an all powerful, all knowing God; He is also all loving and all caring and takes a personal interest in each of our individual lives.
Are we not all guilty of judging a person by their appearance before we have the opportunity of getting to know them? How blessed we are that God is not like us (Isaiah 55:9), for if He were, most of us would never have the gracious opportunity of drawing close to the LORD our God and find the new life in Christ Jesus that He desires for all His created peoples.

Prayer:

How I thank You, LORD God, for the abundant love and grace that You continue to pour out on Your people, especially those who have been deceived by this fallen world into believing that You are not who You say You are. But for those of us who know the Truth, we know where our joy lies, for You are the Giver of new life—one that will never end and one that will be glorious as You are glorious! Thank You for all that You are.