Looking Good!

[dddoo7]

King Saul had lived in open rebellion against God, therefore God had rejected Saul as king and told Samuel to go and appoint another king. Samuel was told that the new king would be of the house of Jesse and so Samuel took his horn of oil (for anointing) and went to meet Jesse and anoint his son as king over Israel. As the oldest son was presented, Samuel looked at the son and said, “surely this is the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 16:6).

Upon this thought of Samuel, God reminded Samuel that God does not look on the outward appearance, but on the heart. God reminded Samuel that God does not see as man sees, but God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”).

Upon hearing this, Samuel then considered the next oldest son, and the next, and the next until seven sons of Jesse had passed consideration without being chosen. When the last son present was considered and rejected, Samuel asked if these were all of his sons. Jessie said that he had one more son, the youngest, who had been left to watch the sheep. This youngest son was not even considered as a possibility and was therefore left to watch the sheep. When the youngest son was called before Samuel, he was chosen by the Lord and David was anointed King of Israel. David was one of the greatest and Godliest kings to ever rule Israel, and he was chosen because God does not look on the outward appearance, but on the heart.

We know that God does not look on our outward appearance. We know that God looks at the beauty in our heart. Why then do we sometimes spend so much time and effort on our outward appearance? We make sure that every hair is perfectly trimmed and in place. We brush, comb, straighten, curl our hair. We cover up, conceal, change color, add color, all to enhance our outward appearance. We are sure to be clean shaven, clothes pressed, shoes polished.

Do we consider our heart? Do we consider how beautiful we are to God? Is our heart pure, clean, right? Is our mind filled with things of the world as we come before Him to worship? Do we allow our mind to be consumed with evil temptations and struggles? Is our heart one that is constantly trying to do good, to encourage others in right, to lift them up? Do we look for opportunities to do good, help others, and grow spiritually?

Our eyes see the outward appearance and sometimes forget that the heart is what really matters. Our outward appearance can impress others, it can attract the attention of others. Our dress can even make ourselves look more “righteous”. Yet God is concerned with the heart. It is the heart that matters.

Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27).

[buddhaman]

Purity of heart is a hidden gem .... revealed without needing acknowledgement from others. God Bless you Daniel.