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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
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.”
I rummaged through my closet trying to find the
best outfit to wear to the Mercy Me concert. Everything I pulled out either
looked like work clothes or casual Saturday (different from casual Friday, much
more relaxed—maybe even sloppy.) Frustrated, I tried again. I'd decided jeans
would be good, but felt discouraged with my choice in shirts. My good friend Bev
and I had planned this evening for months, and I wanted to look nice. I finally
narrowed it down to two possibilities, then went on with my day.
Coffee in hand, I opened my Bible to the daily
reading. As I perused the verses, my foray through my closet seemed pathetic.
Here I was preparing what to wear to the concert. When what I should have been
doing was preparing my heart to worship and praise God.
As Samuel searched for a future king to replace
himself, God reminded him not to look at the outward appearance, instead look
at the man's heart. David, who Samuel would later choose to follow him as king,
was a man of small stature. Even though he was considered handsome, God wanted
to know what was inside, not outside. God looks at the heart, the organ that
pumps life into our souls. After I bowed my head and had a heart-to-heart with
God, I knew I was ready to receive his blessing and give him glory at the
concert. I pray that my heart is ready to worship the Lord every day.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
