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EIBC Devotional #14 - “Who are you to. . .”

Emerald Isle Baptist Church

Pastor Zach Emory

Scripture - 1 Samuel 16:6-13

6 When they came, [Samuel] looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. 

This Old Testament story of David’s calling includes a familiar verse for us:  “The Lord sees not as man sees:  man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (v. 7). Samuel is grieving because God has rejected Saul as king. When he is tasked with finding the new king, he expects it will be someone like Eliab, a man with a regal appearance. God reminds him that His expectations are sometimes different from ours. Our judgements are imperfect. God, in His infinite Wisdom, has perfect judgment and searches the hearts of each of His children. It is a reminder to us that we must temper our first inclinations. Whereas we see ugliness, God sees beauty. When we see weakness, God may see strength. When we see imperfection, God sees beauty and makes imperfections perfect.

Questions for Reflection

How might we resist our first instincts to judge others?

Prayer - Heavenly Father, help me to remember that only You are the judge of Your creation, and You search hearts rather than outward appearances.

 

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