GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART!

GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART!

1 Sam 16:6-12

6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.

7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

          When the sons of Jesse passed in parade there were some pretty boys in the company. Eliab, the eldest was probably presented not only first but privately, ahead of the others. He must have been quite a specimen because Samuel concluded he must be the very chosen of God. But God doesn’t see as men.

          Dr. Mark Wessel observes this about God’s choices for His twelve apostles: “It was a strange group of men our Lord chose to be his disciples. Four of them were fishermen, one a hated tax collector, another a member of a radical and violent political party … all were laymen … Yet it was with these men that Jesus … disseminated his good news to the end of the earth.” (The Expositors Bible Commentary, volume 8, page 643)

Tradition says that Paul was a short man with an oozing eye disease. Paul comments on his own appearance in the following verse in which the word tapeinos is rendered base and signifies lowly or short of stature.

2 Cor 10:1

10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

          Little, red faced, David was the last son that Jesse considered to be of kingly quality but God did not look on his outward appearance. His heart was ready for a crown!

Dear Lord, I am neither tall nor handsome by most appraisals. Let me instead have a courageous heart and a beautiful spirit. Let me be pleasing in your sight. AMEN

NOT WRONG JUST DIFFERENT!

NOT WRONG JUST DIFFERENT!

Prov 13:10

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

          I’ve been in England for only one full day but it is very different from my home. Not wrong, just different! The drive on the left side of the road which is very scary for those of us accustomed to driving on the right side of the road. I was a front seat passenger which made me feel as if someone had stolen the steering wheel and pedals. Very strange. Not wrong, Just different.

          I am very aware that I am spoiled! My home is huge by comparison because everything “over here” seems cozy and a bit squeezed. This is not wrong, just different. It is humbling to be shown that I live opulently when I thought I lived modestly. It is a reminder that I am very blessed.

          I am reminded that pride is thinking that everything must be evaluated through my own personal perspective. The idea that the way I do things is right and that anything that is different must be, therefore, wrong. There is enormous pride in that.

1 John 2:16

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Dear Father, thank you for showing me another perspective and for challenging my pride. AMEN

GUIDE ME!

GUIDE ME!

Ps 31:3

3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Believers sense the need of guidance from God. Since our conversion we have a connection with the invisible world. There is a silent, unseen partner who both urges us on and restrains our movements. Our rest is often interrupted by a strong urge to move along and our hectic activity is sometimes brought to an abrupt halt by circumstance and a sense of caution. This is guidance and this is what we need.

Solomon would soon be king instead of his father David and he felt a strong need of guidance. He felt ill-equipped to lead and he appealed to his Leader.

1 Kings 3:7-10

7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

I sense a strong need of guidance today, perhaps you do too. In fact there is the sense of God’s movement; that He is preparing me for something I am not yet aware. I need guidance, perhaps you do too.

Isa 30:21

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Dear Lord, I feel a bit lost and disoriented today and I need your direction. As Adam did, I long to hear the rustling of your feet in the garden at evening. Please come by thy Spirit and fellowship with me that I might know your heart and follow your way. AMEN