August 05, 2020

BIBLE READING: I Samuel 16:1-13
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” I Samuel 15:22-23

A rider on horseback, many years ago, came across a squad of soldiers trying to move a piece of heavy timber. A corporal stood by giving orders to “heave.” But the piece of timber was too heavy for the soldiers. “Why don’t you help them?” asked the quiet man on the horse, addressing the important corporal. “Me, I’m a corporal sir!” Dismounting, the stranger carefully took his place with the soldiers. “Now, all together, boys—heave!” he said. And the big piece of timber slid into place. The stranger mounted his horse and addressed the corporal. “The next time you have a piece of timber for your men to handle, corporal, send for the commander-in-chief.” The horseman was George Washington. What a true sign of servant leadership and humility.
Over the past couple of weeks, We have looked at Saul who “looked” like a king, but was far from being a good king. Saul’s faulty character cost him the throne. Samuel now is sent to anoint a new king. Once he arrives at Jesse’s house, Eliab walks first before Samuel. Eliab looks just like a king, tall and strong, but the Lord tells Samuel otherwise. A man may see one perspective on the outside, but God knows the intents of the heart. We see, later, that God chose a man after his own heart, that necessarly did not look like a king. We may can fool others around us, but God the intents of our own heart. How do we address or face this? It’s like looking in a mirror in the morning. It is fixing what has been messed up. What should be our spiritual “mirror”? God’s Word. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God’s Word can be used to speak and direct our hearts. Our responsibility is how we respond, pridefully reject or humbly follow Him.

David Fulp II