Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
– 1 Samuel 16:1-7
Devotion
Saul was a man who was more concerned with what others might think of him than he was about the status of his relationship with God. Saul was a good-looking man who was tall and handsome. Samuel may have been looking to find someone who looked similar to Saul to be Israel’s next king, but God warned him against judging by the very appearance alone. People will often judge by outward appearances and may totally overlook those individuals who have wisdom, integrity and real leadership abilities. Appearance does not reveal what people are really like inside, or what their true value is.
Fortunately, God judges people by their character and faith, not by their outward looks. God is the only one who can judge because He can see the inside as well as the outside. He knows our hearts and what our passions are down to the most intricate detail. Our culture values things mostly backwards in contrast to God’s values.
The Big Question
What steps can you take today to improve your heart attitude toward God? Do you sometimes find yourself attracted to, or even voting for, someone due to their looks and stature alone? What some practical things you can implement so as not judge too hastily when it comes to your personal relationships?
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.