By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
1 Samuel 16:7 "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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." - NIV
Prophet Samuel was sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to replace king Saul whom God had rejected. At Jesse’s home, Samuel’s attention was taken by Eliab, a tall and well built man with a good appearance. But God stopped Samuel from anointing him, because he was taken by his physique. The rejection went on for all the sons of Jesse present to the surprise of Samuel. Then he asked Jesse if these were all. David the last born, who was out looking after the sheep, was quickly sent for and accepted by God. Later God described David as a man after His heart.
Such are the mistakes we humans make. We are often taken by the outward appearance of things. Men may hide their true identity, pretend and appear to others as what they really are not. This explains why, contrary to what we know about people and things, God’s view and report may be totally different. His ways are not our ways, nor our thoughts His thoughts.
God looks beyond the physical into the heart of people because that is where their true character, which stands the test of time, lies. God is not taken up outward excitement. He cannot be mocked nor hoodwinked. All people He chose and trusted for His purposes, were chosen because of their heart inclination. Some of these didn’t even believe in themselves when God called and assigned them, because they judged themselves from human point of view. A heart after God counts to Him more than anything else.
Jeremiah 17:10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
Shalom children of God.