Scripture
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 NIV
Observation
Samuel was looking for the next anointed king of Israel which the Lord was going to show to him. When he found one of David’s brother, Eliab, Sammuel was sure that he was the one.
It seems that Eliab had a good profile for a king. But the Lord have rejected him because the Lord knows our hearts.
Later on, the Bible mentions King David to be “a man after God’s own heart”.
Application
Our eyes deceives us.
The first impression we have of someone is not always accurate.
We see how someone dresses, how someone behaves, and we already get some conclusions about that person.
The Lord shows us that we have no idea on what is in someone’s heart, and what is shown to our eyes has nothing to do with how the person is inside.
And so, what is the solution?
Not trusting in our eyes, but trust in God’s voice.
Samuel was a man that listened to the Lord, and even thou he was wrong in his choice by what appeared to be “sure”, he was sensible enough to the voice of God that instantly he could recognize his mistake, and move forward to where God wanted him to go.
Prayer
Lord, help me to not look or judge people by their appearances, the outward, but help me to trust in your voice and not in my own eyes. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
