Today’s Reading:
1Samuel 16:1-7 (7)
"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (v.7 NKJV)
Samuel's fear of the danger of anointing the next king over Israel while Saul was still alive makes sense, because Saul's behaviour had been erratic (1Sam. 14:24-26). But God knows about his fierce temper, He gave Samuel a wise plan to go about the anointing.
The same God is our God today, whenever He gives us assignment that seems impossible, He leads us through the difficult area of the work. Despite Samuel's sadness over Saul's disobedience, and rejection by God, and Samuel's fear of what a mortal man can do to him, he went ahead to obey God. Our obedience to God command is essentially important in our walk with God.
The inside view of a thing is more important, fascinating, and incredibly significant than the outside view. At a glance Eliab, Jesse's first son and David's senior brother's impressive and attractive outward appearance nearly deceived Samuel into anointing him as the next king (v.6). But God warned him not to look at Eliab's physical traits (v.7). Because Saul was tall, handsome, and inspiring, Samuel was seeing Saul in Eliab as Saul’s successor. We always use the outward look to access people, whereas, God uses the inside, the heart to judge.
The true assessment of anyone is what he or she is, in the heart. God looks at what we are in the inside because He is more interested in our hearts, and the state of our souls than our bodily built. It is said that the heart of a man is very deadly, very wicked, no one can conceive it. But God is able to peers into the deepest motivation of our hearts (Ps139:1), give us a new heart (10:9; Ps 51:10), and touch our hearts (10:26). He sees what we cannot see in 'the other man', He sees and knows our true character. God can use a nobody, like a shepherd boy to carry out his big plans. We only need to yield to, connect to his leading and teaching.
God does not see a tool in His hands as too old or too young; too poor or too rich; too wise or too foolish; beautiful, shapeless, or ugly. He zeros in on things that matters, which is, how we respond to his love towards us, how readily we surrender ourselves to his call for assignment, and our concerns for others (Matt.22:37-39). God is the only one that knows the innermost part of our heart (2Chro. 6:30).
God has done so much for us and how we can respond to his love is to renew our thinking. It is when our heart is pure that our eyes will be able to see as God sees.
If God looks at the inside of your heart, my heart now, what will He see?
Olufunmilayo Titilola Adekusibe
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your power to renew my heart, help me to value what you value. As I follow your leading, let my thoughts please you, in Jesus name.
Father let your revival start in my life, my family, and my environment, in Jesus name.
Father, if I am not in your plan for my life this year 2020, reposition me, in Jesus name.
Father cleanse your church with the blood of Jesus and help her to focus on things that matter to You, so that your purpose for her might be fulfil, in Jesus name.
Father help those researching for preventive of COVID19 to recognise your leading; and release your mighty power in the recovery of the economy of the nations, in Jesus name.
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