God Sees

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7 KJV)

Saul's time as king was coming to an end. It was time to anoint the next king of Israel so the Lord sent Samuel to anoint one of Jesse's sons. But, who would it be? The first son to come before Samuel was Eliab. He thought he looked like he'd make a fine king. But, the Lord said that it didn't matter what he looked like. What matters is what is in his heart. Humankind might judge by what we sees; but, the Lord knows who we really are because he knows whats in our hearts.

Seven of Jesse's paraded in front of Samuel. But, the Lord said that it was none of these. How could that be? The Lord had said the next king was to be one of Jesse's sons. So, Samuel asked Jesse if he had any more sons. Yes, there was one more. David, the youngest, was out in the fields tending the sheep.

It was the youngest one, taking care of his father's business, his father's sheep who was to be anointed as the next king of Israel.

Too often we judge others by their appearance or their present place in society. Too often we place those who have found high status in the world above those who have not. But, it is not so with God. Over and over again, we see in scripture, that God has chosen the lowly, the youngest, those who have the least standing in the world.

Jesus reminds us: 

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matt 20:16)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Flower Or A Weed?

"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 16:7

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint the next king over Israel, Samuel saw the stature of Eliab and thought for sure this one must be the one. But, the Lord let him know that He had not chosen the next king of Israel by his outward appearance. In the end, it was Jesse's youngest son, David, just a shepherd in the field, who was called to be anointed to be the next king.

In the spring when the dandelions begin to bloom, my husband is always in a hurry to get rid of them. I see the yellow blossoms as wonderful signs of spring and I am grateful that they and spring have arrived. We each have a different perspective on what we see or hear. We see things differently. My husband sees weeds. I see flowers.

God see things a whole lot differently than we do. So what does God see when He looks into our hearts? Our neighbors may see our hearts as dark as the night. But, what does God see? Does he see a child in pain who has not yet learned how to deal with life around him? Does he see a heart that is aching for only the peace that He can give?

No one; but, God, can know what is truly in the heart of another person. Whether good or evil; whether a weed or a flower, only God can know for sure.

Who knows? The next weed that you try to destroy just might be a treasured flower; a beloved and chosen child of God.

Pr. J