Samuel the prophet looked at Eliab David’s oldest brother, “…and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him…the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART.” (1 Sam. 16:6-7) We spend so much of our life concerned with how we look on the outside. Think about how much time we focus on getting ready in the morning or how concerned we are with what we look like and what we wear. Yet, God obviously cares so much more about the INSIDE MAN OF THE HEART than He does about the outside.
How was Jesse to realize that, in God’s eyes, He would much prefer a humble young tender of sheep any day over a proud and cocky string of seven sons, STRUTTING THEIR STUFF, none of them were accepted. Apparently Samuel did not yet understand God’s earlier word He had spoken saying, “The LORD has sought for Himself a man AFTER HIS OWN HEART, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people…“ (1 Sam. 13:14) Eliab sent and brought DAVID THE YOUNGEST BROTHER, “…Now he was ruddy (red headed), with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, ANOINT HIM; FOR THIS IS THE ONE!” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON DAVID from that day forward…” (1 Sam. 16:12-13)
God is looking for a heart’s desire to obey God, put Him first, love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, have faith in Him and to trust Him.
LET US DRAW NEAR WITH A TRUE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH…(Heb. 10:22)
-Bill Stockham