God's Glory Church

“For a man looks at the face, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

Many years ago, Julia Landsman auditioned for the position of first horn player of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York. The contestants played behind a screen so that the judges did not have a biased attitude. Landsman passed the audition “excellently” and eventually won the competition. But when she appeared from behind the screen, some of the male judges retreated to the end of the courtroom and turned their backs on her in open displeasure. Obviously, they wanted to see someone else.

When the Israelites wanted a king, God went to meet them and offered the handsome and strong Saul. Such were the kings of other nations (1 Sam. 8:5; 9:2). But because Saul’s heart was marked by unbelief and disobedience, God sent Samuel to anoint the new king. Samuel came to Jesse’s house and, seeing his tall and handsome first-born Eliava, thought that the Lord had chosen him as king. However, God challenged Samuel’s prejudiced attitude, saying: “For a man looks at the face, but the Lord looks at the heart” (v. 7). As a result, a fair-haired young man, David, was appointed head of God’s people (v. 12).

In judging a person’s fitness for His purposes, God looks at character, will, and motive. And He calls us to look at the world and people in the same way as He looks – paying attention not to external data, but to what is hidden behind them.

Why is it important not to judge people based on personal preferences? What does it mean for you to see as God sees?

God, help me not judge people by their appearance.

Author: Marvin Williams