Vs 7

The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance of 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.”

God has a job for Samuel. His job is to go and anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king of Israel.

Have you ever stopped to wonder, or am I the only one, why didn’t God just say to Samuel go down to Jesse of Bethlehem and anoint his youngest son, David. Why the suspense? God knew who he wanted so why not come right out and tell Samuel.

As it was Samuel did not want to go in the first place. He was still grieving over the fact that Saul had disobeyed and as a result had been rejected by God as king. Secondly, he didn’t want to go because he feared that if Saul heard where he was going and why he would be killed.

We all relate with Samuel, can’t we? Who hasn’t been faced with doing something they know they have to do but really don’t want to? Who hasn’t been faced with a situation when you wished God would just tell us outright what we should do?

I know as a father there were moments when my sons came to me hoping that I would solve their problem. I wanted to do that for them in the worst way, but I knew better than to do that. I knew they had to figure it out for themselves. So I played the role of devil’s advocate. I challenged them to think through the pros and the cons. I enabled them to strengthen their roots and their wings, because I knew that would serve them well later in life. Trust me it wasn’t an easy thing to do.

I sense when faced with a situation similar to Samuel’s we often make the same mistake he made. What mistake was that? Why the mistake of deciding that Eliab, the oldest son of Jesse was the one God chose to be king. You certainly can’t fault Samuel for thinking that. After all Eliab resembled Saul. Like Saul he was tall and handsome. He was an impressive looking man. The big mistake Samuel made was that he was given the responsibility of choosing the king. Remember God said to Samuel, “I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” Samuel was given the task of anointing the next king.

When you think about it Samuel did what every school yard team captain did when choosing up sides. What kids are usually picked first? Sure the kids who are physically bigger. The kids that look most athletic are the first chosen. This may work in the school yard but it was not working in selecting a king. The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance of 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.”

When I reflect on the America culture and these God’s Words I have to say, “Ouch!’

Physical appearance is a primary concern to most people in our culture. Billions of dollars are spent every year on beauty products, cosmetic surgery, and diets. Consider your own personal habits. How many hours have you spent this week maintaining your physical appearance? Compare that to the amount of time you spent maintaining your spiritual appearance, which is greater? How much time did you spend getting yourself ready for worship this morning? How much time did you spend getting your soul, your heart, your attitude ready for worship?

Unfortunately we live in a culture that looks at the outward appearance. I remember when Phil Simms was drafted by the N.Y. Giants. The NY media had a hay day with it running heads such as Phil WHO? On paper Phil was not the best quarterback in the draft. He had good numbers as a quarterback, but he didn’t play for any of the power house football college teams. He wasn’t the biggest or the strongest quarterback in the draft. Everyone was judging him by his appearance. Yet when his career was over he had led the Giants to their only two Super bowl wins. He didn’t look like a great football quarterback but he was.

The same was said about Clay Aiken the runner up in the second season of the TV show American Idol.

When Clay was in school he would have been the one chosen last when choosing up teams. Clay was the one most likely to be picked on and made fun of in school. His scarecrow physique and hair style certainly led one of the judges to say about Clay, “You don’t look like a pop star but you have a great voice.” Aside from Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken has the most successful singing career of all the American Idols.

What has impressed me about Clay is certainly not his physical attributes, but his heart. He has been true to his faith. When asked to remove his What Would Jesus Do bracelet when posing for a magazine cover he said NO. When told by record producer to put a certain song that had questionable lyrics into his album. He said NO. When he was told not to design a Christmas concert that would be a worshipful celebration of Jesus’ birth, he went ahead and did it away. He has used as a foundation to benefit children with autism. He is one of UNICEF’s world ambassadors for children. He refused to embrace the “Hollywood” promiscuous lifestyle and so therefore because he refuses to be one of the Hollywood characters his character is called into question.

Clay's life reflects the truth that God cherishes character not characters. The Lord said to Samuel,

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.”

When people judge by outward appearance, they may overlook quality individuals who lack the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Appearance doesn’t reveal what people are really like or what their true value is.

Fortunately God judges by faith and character, not appearances. Appearance doesn’t reveal what people are really like or what their true value is. God sees the inside. God looks for transformation in our lives.

What steps are you taking to improve not your appearance but your heart? What steps should you be taking? Wealth, glamour, the latest style, the bulging biceps, gorgeous figure, etc might get you noticed by other people, but trust me none of these things turns God’s head in your direction. What gets God’s attention is a transformed heart, a heart seeking God, a heart surrendered to God. Remember God cherishes character not characters.

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Amen