1st Samuel Chapter 16
Look At One’s Heart And Not On The Outward Appearance.
Because God rejected Saul as king, he told Samuel he was going to reveal who the next king would be. Samuel was directed to the house of Jesse and he had his seven sons go before Samuel to see who God would choose to be the new king over Israel. But God rejected all of them and told Samuel he doesn’t choose a king based upon one’s stature or appearance but on their heart. Jesse said he had one more son, David, who was tending the sheep. When Samuel saw David, God said I choose David as the coming king.
Let this be a lesson to us. We often look at someone’s outward appearance when deciding if we should date them, or hire them, or be friends with them, or hang out with them. But God says look at their heart. Just because someone is handsome or pretty doesn’t mean their influence will be positive. It may be positive but it doesn’t guarantee it.
When I worked at a soup kitchen in Washington DC, the owner was an attractive young lady. Her assistant was not nearly as attractive but the assistant was loving and caring for the people and interacted so well with them. The owner was very rough and critical of others. I enjoyed hanging out with the assistant so much more because of her heart. What about our hearts. Do people see Jesus in us? Is our influence positive or negative?
