1 Samuel 16:7 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.
In the story of 1 Samuel 16, we find the prophet Samuel on a mission from God. King Saul had failed to obey the Lord, and God decided to anoint a new king for Israel. Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to find this new king among Jesse’s sons. As Samuel looked at each of Jesse’s sons, he thought he saw the future king in Eliab, the eldest, because of his impressive appearance and stature. However, God reminded Samuel that He does not see as man sees. He does not look at the outward appearance but looks at the heart.
David, the youngest son of Jesse, was not even present when Samuel arrived. He was out in the fields, tending the sheep. David didn’t look like a king, didn’t act like a king, and certainly wasn’t doing the work of a king. He wasn’t from a royal family. Yet, God saw something in David that no one else could see. God saw a heart that was devoted to Him, a heart that was courageous, humble, and full of potential.
God’s message to Samuel is a powerful reminder. We often judge people based on their looks, their accomplishments, or their status. We size people up to see if they fit our idea of who is worthy or capable. But God sees beyond the surface. He sees the heart and the potential within each person.
David didn’t appear to be a king, but God saw a king in David. This perspective challenges us to look beyond outward appearances and see people as God sees them. We might overlook someone who doesn’t seem to fit the part, but God might see in them great potential for His purposes.
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we become part of God’s royal family. Just like David, we may not feel like royalty. We may not look, act, or work like children of a King. But our identity is not based on our feelings or outward appearances. It is based on what God sees in us.
We are children of the King because of His grace and our faith in Jesus. We are adopted into His family, and He sees our potential and purpose in His work.
In 1 Samuel 16:7, God teaches us a valuable lesson: He looks at the heart, not the outward appearance. This truth should shape how we see ourselves and others. We are reminded that our worth and potential come from God’s view of us, not from human standards. Let us strive to see people as God sees them and live as the royal children we are in Christ.
