After God's Heart

May 21

I Samuel 16-17

Psalm 63:6-11

Proverbs 14:8-10

John 11

After God’s Heart

“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.”

I Samuel 16:7 HCSB

Saul was the obvious choice to be king. I Samuel 9:1-2 tells us that he was the son of an influential Benjaminite. There was no one more impressive among the Israelites than Saul and he was a head taller than anyone else. David, on the other hand, was the son of Jesse, a farmer, and sheep herder from Bethlehem. God instructed Samuel to go to Jesse to anoint his son as the next king. Jesse presented seven sons to him, but none of them were God’s anointed. His youngest son was out in the field tending the sheep and Jesse didn’t even consider that he might be the chosen one. His brothers were much better suited to be king. Jesse sent for him and as soon as Samuel saw him, he knew that David was the one. When the people chose a king, they picked the most impressive man they could find. They looked at his background, his family, his physical stature, and his outward appearance. God picked his successor, and His criteria was very different. He was not concerned with his outward appearance, his background, or accomplishments. The only thing God was looking for in a king was someone who trusted Him. God wanted someone who would listen to Him, obey Him, and give Him the glory. Acts 13:22 tells us, “After removing Saul, He made David their king. God testified concerning him, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” (NIV)

God did not look at all the people of Israel and pick out the one that had the best qualifications to do the job. On paper Saul was the perfect choice and yet God regretted ever letting him be king. David had qualities that were not outwardly apparent, but that made him the perfect choice. David was humble, faithful to God, obedient, and he trusted God completely. God took those qualities and developed him into a godly king. David gave all the honor and glory to God. He did not seek it for himself. God’s criteria haven’t changed. He isn’t looking for the most qualified people to carry out His plans. He still doesn’t look at outward appearance and accomplishments. God is looking for people who trust Him and will obey Him. It is important that we use the same criteria for people we respect and choose to follow. Instead of being impressed with outward attributes, we should be evaluating them based on God’s standards. Their true character will come through upon examination. Humility, faithfulness, obedience, and trust in God should be evident in their lives and in ours as well. May we each seek to be people after God’s own heart.