1 Samuel 16:7
“The LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.’”
Samuel stood in Jesse’s house with the horn of oil in his hand, and Eliab walked in first. Tall. Strong. The kind of man who looked like a king before he ever said a word. Samuel thought, surely this is the one. But God stopped him cold.
Samuel wasn’t being foolish. He was doing what all of us do. We size people up. We notice height, confidence, polish. We only see what’s in front of us. God was teaching Samuel, and teaching us, that His way of seeing is different.
The one he’d already chosen was still out in the field. Young David was not even considered worth calling in. David wasn’t impressive. He was devoted. Devoted was what God was after all along.
If you’ve ever felt overlooked, take heart. Being passed over by people has never disqualified anyone in God’s eyes. He isn’t measuring your image. He’s looking at your heart.
I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.
Prayer: Lord, search my heart today and shape it to love you in the places no one else sees.