“The LORD Looks On The Heart”

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is now before the LORD.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:1-7

Great things can come in ordinary packages. Look at Jesus Christ. Born in a manger, and yet the Son of God.

In the Old Testament, the rescuer of Israel arrived at the battlefield in a most unlikely form – that of a young shepherd boy. King Saul and his entire army were surprised when David defeated Goliath and won the day. They needed to learn the way that God looks at people.

If we judge others only on their outward appearance, we might miss the wonderful surprise of what’s in their heart.

It’s what’s in the heart that counts.

Our Daily Bread – November 20, 2008