Verse 7 says “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.”
The Lord does not look at the outward appearance, but rather at the heart. An absolutely wonderful statement. A statement that can give confidence to the “little guy”, give hope to all of us regular ordinary people who don’t really feel like we have any “special” talents. Nothing that sets us apart from the big, the strong, the powerful, the talented. And yet in one simple statement from this chapter, it does not matter. God looks at the heart and does not concern himself with the things that the people of the world look at. He will, and often does, use the most unlikely character to do amazing things in His Kingdom!
The Lord does not look at the outward appearance, but rather at the heart. A wonderful statement yes, but potentially also a terrifying statement. So often we think we can hide things, live a compartmentalized life, but keep it hidden on the inside. Look good on the outside, but have all kinds of darkness in our hearts. Say the right things and do the right things (when the right people are watching) but be completely different on the inside. In that case, the fact that God looks past the outside and into the heart, a little bit scary.
So for you, which is it? Wonderful or terrifying? Or maybe a little of both. (you don’t have to answer here on the blog, but might be a conversation you want to have with God).
Mathew McCabe
Nail on the head, Mathew. And you're right. This is good, scary news. Mostly scary, I think.
ReplyDeleteJust remember this verse when we say to ourselves "no one will know" or "one time wont hurt". God knows all that we have done, and all we are thinking about doing. No one can hide from God.
ReplyDeleteWhen God looks in your heart, what does he see?
this verse makes me think about my intentions and motivations… I am so thankful the Lord can see my heart because so often the world gets in the way of my outside actions, but the Lord knows that I truly desire and thirst after Him.
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that the Lord sent David out with his harp to tend the sheep, knowing that his talent on the harp would come in handy in soothing Saul? Similarly, that David's skills fighting off wolves and other predators of the sheep with a slingshot would later be used to conquer the great Goliath? I feel like the verse could also say… "The Lord does not look at the IMMEDIATE appearance, but rather at the FUTURE." I try to remember that when I'm in an uncomfortable circumstance (like watching boring sheep while the rest of my family is being examined for the King). God is preparing me for His will even if I may not like it at the time!
ReplyDeleteOh the value God places in WORSHIP! When Saul was oppressed by his own demons his servants knew that there was out there a shepherd boy who could play the harp and sooth his soul. In the same manner our worship to God is a sweet incense offering and a weapon against the enemy. I think satan hates when we worship God with all our mind, body, and soul. If it is not possible to sing or play the harp, put on the CD or turn on the radio... Let the sweet songs of worship sooth our souls! Our act of true worship can even shed light on the dark compartments of pride and darkness that can not be hidden from our God who sees our hearts!
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