22nd October 2021
The heart of the matter
“…The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them.
People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
The account of David’s anointing by Samuel in chapter 16 of the book of the same name is a real page turner. The high drama of being sent to anoint a new king from amongst the sons of Jesse, not knowing which one God had chosen. The very real threat of death – or worse – if the incumbent king, Saul, got wind of Samuel’s plans. The fear and trembling of the Bethlehem elders when Samuel arrived in town and invited the whole family to the sacrifice (vv.3-4).
Yet as with all good stories, the best bit is kept till last. One by one God, through Samuel, rejected seven of Jesse’s sons, until finally the last and most unlikely candidate was brought before him. Then, when Samuel was surely giving up hope, God spoke, “This is the one; anoint him.” (v.12).
A memorable line. But for me the phrase that most sticks in the mind comes halfway through the passage: “…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 NIV).
How wonderful for David and how wonderful for us that our loving Creator does not judge the way humans judge! He doesn’t care if we’re having a bad hair day, aren’t dressed in finery and don’t show up in a late model Mercedes Benz. Instead he looks beyond our outward appearance and, as with David, sees our raw potential.
But it goes deeper than that. Years later, the apostle Paul referred to David, saying, “…God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart…’ ” (Acts 13:22 NIV). God saw that David was humble, obedient, faithful and trusting. In other words, completely yielded and devoted to Him.
God looked on David’s heart and saw he had the potential to become a great king. But he saw so much more. As Isaiah 11:1 tells us: ‘There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.’ (ESV). The Messiah, the Son of God, would one day spring from the kingly line of David.
Have you given your heart completely to God? If not, why not have a heart to heart with the Creator of the universe?
Prayer
Loving Father, in the words of King David, ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by Peter Mill
About the writer:
Peter Mill is a Minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Co-Pastor for Scotland, Ireland and Northern England
Local congregation:
GCI, Edinburgh
Gilmerton New Church
Ravenscroft Street
Edinburgh
EH17 8QJ
Meeting time:
Saturday 11:00am
Local congregational contact:
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church