Looking Through God’s Eyes

“Now the LORD said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.’” 1 Samuel 16:1

“When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him.’ 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.’ Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, ‘The LORD has not chosen this one either.’ Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, ‘The LORD has not chosen this one either.’ Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The LORD has not chosen these.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are these all the children?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.’ Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’

So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance And the LORD said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is he.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah." 1 Samuel 16:6-13

Let’s admit it. The majority of believers today are intimidated by the preeminence of evangelical “stars.” Ever so nimbly, the church has adopted the mindset of the jetset for Christian service, distorting God’s criteria for gainful ministry.

After the physically imposing Saul had been rejected as king, the prophet Samuel was still looking for similar qualities for a replacement. Samuel was wrong. God had chosen an obscure boy named David - handsome but young, inexperienced, and a rural shepherd - not exactly a glowing resume for a king. Why? Because “...the Lord looks at the heart” (verse 7). Appearance, education, prominence, affluence, and heritage are nonessentials when it comes to serving God. His requirements are willingness, humility, obedience, and devotion - the noble places of the heart.

God wants servants, not stars. He can work His wonderful will through you right where you are. Get your heart right with Him; submit to Him wholly; and you will be one of His foolish ones that “shame the wise” (1Cor. 1:27).

“...for God sees not as man sees...” Samuel 16:7