From The Inside Out

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd Sep 25 - Filed in Devotional - 3,554 views
  When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, 'Surely Yahweh's anointed is before him.' But Yahweh said to Samuel, 'Don't look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don't see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.' 1 Samuel 16:6 WEB
  
  When Saul was chosen to be the king of Israel, he was the most handsome, and tallest man in the land (1Samuel 9:2). He was head and shoulders above everyone else. Saul was exactly what the people wanted for a king. He looked the part. Yet despite these "assets", when the Lord told him to destroy the Amalekites, he was afraid of the people and disobeyed the Lord (1Samuel 15:24). Saul looked strong on the outside, but he was weak within. Sometimes your gifting can take you further than your character can sustain you.
  
  God then chose a new person to replace Saul as king. He told Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint him. When Samuel arrived there and saw Jesse's son Eliab standing tall and strong, he broke out his oil and was ready to anoint him, but the Lord told him 'This is not the one.' Then seven of Jesse's sons passed before Samuel one by one and the Lord said no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
  
  Finally the line of would-be kings reached the end. Samuel was confused and asked Jesse if these were all of his sons. Jesse reluctantly admitted that the youngest one was out tending the sheep. The word that Jesse used for David was the same word that we use for 'runt" meaning insignificant, lesser, or small. Samuel told Jesse to bring him and when little David walked up, the Lord said: 'This is the one. Anoint him.'
  
  We see people from the outside in and often judge them by their attractiveness, talent, or wealth. God sees us from the inside out. Who we are when no one is looking, is who we really are. The unseen things that we do, are seen by the only One who matters. Make it count.
  
  David, the little shepherd boy, was anointed by Samuel and went on to become a great king, one of the best. God saw more inside of little David than anyone else did for God knows our heart. Though you may be the least of the least and not in a position of power yet, though you take care of smelly things that others are too good to do, God sees all and one day there will be a reward.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for waking me up today. Please comfort me and let me know that You are there. Quicken Your word to me and help me understand it in a clear way. I want to experience more of You in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
  Note: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron 7:14). If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network
  
  
  

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