Not Worthy to be Counted
Do you see people the way God sees them? I’ve been meditating on that lately as I read David’s journey to becoming king in 1 Samuel 16. Sometimes we are quick to look at people with judgmental eyes based on their outward appearance.
We make snap judgments based on the way they dress, look and many other things. Even the prophet Samuel wasn’t exempted from this. When God sent Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons He took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’S anointed.
He wasn’t!
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Samuel looked at the outside, and was impressed. God looked on the inside and found Eliab wanting. In fact, the seven of Jesse’s sons who were present and accounted for were seen and rejected by God one by one.
11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 1 Samuel 16:11-12
David’s father had not presented him along with his older sons. Maybe he didn’t think he was worthy to be counted, I don’t know. However, God noticed his absence. When David arrived, God himself said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
The inside matters!
There was something on the inside of David that was lacking in his brothers. Maybe it was his dedication to his duties, his passion for God, his determination to be the man God had called him to be…
I don’t know what it was about David caused God to choose him, but I do know that it was inward, not outward.
So many times we reject others.
So many times we are rejected, based on the outward, and it hurts!
But God has not rejected you. He sees the heart that is chasing after him. He sees the heart that cries out to him, loves him, and desires to serve him.
You are his! He sees you out there where you have been hidden away and says… This is the one I have chosen.
My dear sister, God himself has chosen you, me, us… be encouraged, God counted you among his own.
Lord let my heart be reflective of the qualities that you want to see. May the fruit of your spirit be manifested in my life on a daily basis and Father, help me to look at others with eyes of love not of judgment, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Bernadine, what a true and lovely post. Thank you for sharing and encouraging us today!
Dear Berndine, Oh, that we would all look beyond the outward and see the spiritual inward of every man or woman, those that are living for God, we will know and give them a word of encourage,ent. Those that are not, we will know and pray for them and give them a word of encouragement also. i once heard a saying “We are the only people that some people read. Blessings Gloria
I meant to say in the comment I had heard years ago “We are the only BIBLE that some people read. Sorry, my typing fingers on the right hand are still a little bit asleep after my shoulder accident, so often my words seem to be in another language, Blessingsd Gloria
Blessings and love my friend.
Amen to that, Bernadine! You are right, we often look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. May I join you and see others the way God sees them.