And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him. 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 Samuel 16:6-7 KJV
I have two points to highlight out of the chapter this verse derives.
The first, we judge and are judged at first sight. As a communication major in college I must note – more than half of communication is by sight and nonverbal. Initial impressions have impact on friendship/relationships and our perception of leaders. Often we hold onto first impressions as though they tell the whole story, not taking the time to actually compare assumption to fact. We assume our assumption is fact.
The good thing, just like in David’s journey – God doesn’t go strictly by outward appearances. He knows exactly who we are. He sees and searches the heart of men. He also knows our capabilities and capacity regardless of what the “world” has determined. He knew us when we were formed in the belly and knows our whole journey.
You see, David was the youngest in age and the smallest sibling. As a matter of fact, he wasn’t even invited to the gathering to anoint the next king. His own family, including his Dad passed judgement on him. He’s too young and too small. Their perception was totally off concerning his abilities. They were not aware of his entire story – but, God!
David came straight from shepherding in the fields to the event, I’m sure he smelled and didn’t have the proper clothes. He did not look the “part” of a the person to be chosen as leader. What God could see others couldn’t – unfulfilled potential which needed time to manifest.
We hold onto judgements which can be wrong and people can often have wrong perceptions about us. We need to be prayerful and stay prayed up! Thank God that he sees within the hearts of men.
This then leads me to my second point and lesson from 1 Samuel 16. Adding even more difficulty, we underestimate others or are underestimated by others. It is a difficult position when we are underrated for who we are, what we bring to the table, our knowledge and our wisdom. To be overlooked, downplayed and/or dismissed plays on the psyche. Those thoughts about us or cast onto others can hinder and stifle faith and hope.
Again, when we underrate or underestimate or it is done to us – we truly need to be prayerful. Keep in mind just like in David’s case, God has the ability to do the impossible!
The lessons for the day –
Pray about how we view others. Ask for sight as God has to view untapped, unnoticed potential.
Pray that others see you as God does. Ask the Lord to open their eyes to view the magnificence that is you despite the outward appearance or circumstance.
“And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” 1 Samuel 16:11-12 KJV
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