The Lord told the prophet Samuel to go to Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons as the next king of Israel. When he saw the first son Eliab, he said within himself “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” 1 Samuel 16:6 (NLT). But the Lord told him right away: “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. 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). In another verse, the Lord revealed how He selects his leaders: “The Lord has sought out for Himself a man (David) after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as leader and ruler over His people, because you have not kept (obeyed) what the Lord commanded you.” (1 Samuel 13:14). God looks at our hearts (our will, our thoughts, our emotions, our character and nature). David had a heart after God. He loved God. He was passionate for God’s laws and presence. So when it was time to select someone that would represent Him on the earth, God looked at the hearts of men, and saw in David the kind of attitude, character and nature that pleased Him. We get easily impressed with what we see, but God tests the heart: “You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” (Psalms 17:3). He is pleased or grieved based on what He sees in our hearts. When God looks at your heart, what will He see? Will it please Him? Remember, God is not impressed with appearances, eloquent speech or flashy maneuvers. He is pleased when He sees a humble heart. A heart that is passionate and hungry for God. A heart that will choose to honor God before the people. A heart that rejects pride and arrogance. A loving heart. “The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit— O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.” Psalms 51:17 (NET)
1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT) “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
