God Looks At the Heart

1 Samuel 16:7 (HCSB)

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart."

God had told Samuel that He had rejected Saul as king. Now He was going to select a new king. He sent Samuel the prophet to anoint this king.

Samuel went to the town of Bethlehem. There he met the family of Jesse. Jesse’s sons came before Samuel. The firstborn son was an impressive young man. Samuel thought in his heart: “This must be the one!”

The Lord’s response to Samuel was this verse. Man is impressed with appearances. We are impressed with credentials, achievements, beauty and success. But the Lord does not look at these things. He measures a man on the basis of what is the inside. David was young and inexperienced, but God knew what was in his heart. God knew what David was capable of achieving. Most importantly, God knew that David was a man after His own heart. Out there in the lonely fields guarding his father’s flock David spent his time seeking the Lord.

I think God looks in our hearts and sees the same thing. I think we are all capable of things beyond our wildest imagination, if we are obedient to the Lord. We could all “charge hell with a water pistol” if we allow the Lord to control our lives.

God looks at your heart. What does He see?