Heart Inspector

Louise Gevers

“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

“So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:12-13

Appearance, on all levels, is important to us. We have, no doubt, all experienced the situation where teams have to be chosen and each leader is choosing from a group to fill his team with the tallest, the fastest, or the most gifted. It becomes uncomfortable as fewer and fewer remain because everyone, including those remaining, knows that they are not perceived to be as proficient as those already chosen.

The sons of Jesse must have had a similar experience when God sent Samuel to choose the next king of Israel from among them, although here, one by one they were turned away as Samuel discerned God’s will.

The first of the above verses refers to Eliab, Jesse’s eldest son, who impressed Samuel greatly, but who we see was not God’s choice. In fact His response was the same to all seven of Jesse’s sons, who must have been feeling more and more disheartened when they realised that that only left the youngest, David, and who would really want to be ruled by him? They hardly counted him a man as he was sent to only look after their father’s sheep, whereas they were soldiers called to fight for Saul, the present king.

Interestingly, when David comes in, after his father summons him from the field after Samuel asks Jesse if he has any other sons, we perceive that he is a good looking young man; but most importantly, that he is the one whom God has chosen because of the attitude of his heart and whom He will be able to empower by His Spirit.

Later on in 1 Samuel, when the armies of Saul are fighting the Philistines, David stands out from amongst them because he alone sees the challenge of the giant, Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, as an insult to God and volunteers to fight him, whereas the other soldiers, including his brothers, are too afraid.

What does this tell us about God?

Prayer: Almighty God, thank You that You are not like us. Your choice is perfect  because You look at the heart and not at the outward appearance, and therefore cannot be deceived. Thank You that You empower those You choose. May we rest in this knowledge and trust in Your unfailing love, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.