Scripture: 1 Samuel 15-16.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

1 Samuel 16:6-7 (NLT)

6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”

7 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.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I believe that we are very much like Samuel, in that we tend to judge people by their appearance. If they are well dressed and polished in their appearance, we tend to favor them more as they may be rich, or come from an honorable family who taught some good values in the home. If they are muscular and present themselves as a strong team player, then we want them on our team. Similarly, Samuel looked at the first of Jesse’s sons, Eliab and was immediately impressed and thought that this must surely be the one that God has chosen to be the future king. God’s words of correction back to Samuel are just eye opening and mind provoking, as we sometimes hear those words even today when we receive advice. However, I am humbled by this reminder this morning, because I realize that it’s not my opinion that matters when judging a man. I need to sincerely seek God’s face and ask for His direction and His leadership, because He knows man’s heart and only He knows man’s real abilities. We are told so often today how we need to promote self and sell ourselves in order to get ahead. Imagine if we had a Christian boss who would lean on God’s understanding and knowledge and lean on His direction towards the qualities that lie within his employees or prospective employees. Imagine the thriving business that man would have! Also, stop and think with me about the thriving church we would have if our leadership would depend more on God to choose the man anointed by God for their pastor, and the best men and ladies that God would have serve under that pastor. I believe that if we did more of this, we would find more thriving churches that are effective in winning the lost to Christ, and a church that would truly minister to the needs of the saints, not just merely competing with the world in providing entertainment for them. Samuel knew the importance in being obedient to God, and it is with that spirit that we must lead. Saul showed evidence of how he allowed selfish desires and self promotion and self recognition to control his actions, but in turn we see where that brought Saul. We too will become like Saul if we follow his footsteps and his character – he was a great warrior and leader by the world’s standards, but he failed in obedience to God. In 15:22 Samuel shared with Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. In today’s church that means that obedience means more than serving on a committee, regular church attendance or any work we may do around the church.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord, please help me to be more than a listener to Your Word. Please help me to strongly and faithfully look to You for direction and leadership, for You know the hearts of men and therefore You know of what service they will be to You, Your church and Your people. I acknowledge that I often look at the outward appearance and/or how good they can make themselves look. I have learned from this lesson this morning that this is not enough. Please help me to always seek Your face and gain Your approval and leadership in the choices that I make or recommend for earthly approval. Lead me Lord!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
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