1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
This passage is about when Samuel was sent to find the next King. He was sent to find the son of Jesse who would be king after Saul. Samuel saw the first son Eliab and said “surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” The Lord’s response is what we find in 1 Samuel 16:7. The phrase, “the Lord does not look at the things people look at” really stands out to me.
This phrase is so true not only when it comes to God selecting the king to take over for Saul. When I read it I think of how often this happens today in our world and in our society. The things that people look at and find important are not at all the same things the Lord looks at.
We get so caught up on appearance and how we look. So much in our society focuses on appearance and looking good. The question we need to ask isn’t how do I look to others it should be how do I look to God! What does God see when he looks at our heart, our deepest thoughts and deepest desires? I pray we place more importance on appearance to God instead of how others see us.
It is also important that we think about the way God looks at someone else and how we look at them. So often we make judgements on people about the way the look, act or speak. We shouldn’t get wrapped up in looking at the outside. We should be more concerned about their heart. We should treat them in a way that speaks to their heart through the love and compassion of Christ.
I also think this is one area that people often fall when it comes to finding a spouse. We get so caught up looking for someone that is “good looking.” Don’t get me wrong there does need to be an attraction but that should not be the most important part. Their heart for Christ is the most important thing Christians should focus on when trying to find someone to spend their life and fellowship with.
I pray you focus more on how God sees you and less on how others see you! I pray you don’t get caught up in the external trap but look as God would and love them as God has called us to do.