This devotional is written by Evan Moore.
Scripture
1 Samuel 13:14
1 Samuel 16:1-13
“The Lord Doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam 16: 7) Why is it important to be judged by what's in our hearts rather than our outward appearance? Someone may look like they know everything and have all the answers but in reality, they may just be arrogant and not really know anything. We as people do this all the time, where we look at someone who looks like they know what they are doing when they don’t.
This was the mistake that Israel made about Saul. Saul was someone who looked and acted the part of a king, and his people believed in him and made him king because of it. Saul was made king because he looked like a king, he was described as tall, handsome, and inspiring. However, Saul failed because his heart was not obedient to God. Saul was commanded by God to destroy everything from the Amalekite nation (1 Sam 15:1-9) but Saul and his men kept everything that they valued and wanted. “They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality” (1 Sam 15:9). This was going against what God told Saul to do, so he was rejected as the king of Israel and was to be replaced.
The one chosen to become the new King of Israel was David. God sent Samuel to go to Bethlehem and find the one he chose as the new king among a man named Jesse’s sons. When Samuel arrived and saw Jesse’s eldest son, he thought to himself this man looks like a king, so surely, he is the one God has chosen. Samuel is making the exact same mistake that was made before, judging someone based on how they look instead of off their heart. This time however, God told Samuel that he was not the one he had chosen and it was somebody else instead. In fact, David, the one who was chosen, wasn’t even there with the rest of his brothers in the first place. He was still in the fields tending to their animals.
God chose David not because of his outward appearance, but because God could see his heart. David wasn’t someone that people would look at and say “He looks like a king.” David was someone who looked ordinary. The thing that made God choose David was because David was after God’s own heart. (1 Sam 13:14). Good looks or the strength of someone's body doesn’t affect the way that God looks at our hearts. God wants servants who love and serve Him, and show love for others.
God doesn’t look at our physical attributes, our achievements or failures, or our strengths and weaknesses. What He focuses on is our heart. It’s more important that we love God and love others. God doesn’t care whether or not we look the part, what He cares about is whether or not we actively engage in a relationship with Him and with others.
Prayer
Psalm 139: 23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting."
Lord thank you for not judging me based on how I look. You know my heart God and I pray that it will be filled with your love. Help me to not judge others based on how they look, and help me be able to see other people’s hearts for you.
Questions/Journal Prompts
Feel free to use these questions as a guide as you journal and/or pray.
1. In what ways have you judged others based on their external qualities?
2. Do you struggle with thinking that God judges you based on your external qualities? In what ways?
3. How do you want God to see your heart? Are there any changes you need to make and what are they?
Songs to listen to
Spend some time listening to these songs, reflecting on the words, and sitting with Jesus.
“Psalm 139 (Far Too Wonderful)” by Shane & Shane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmsgYY-INf8
“139” by Red Rocks Worship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v0Dmnk62cQ
Comments