LOOKING AT THE HEART

 MARCH 10, 2023

1 Samuel 16:1–13

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Today as we continue our Lenten journey, let us look for where God’s love is revealed toward us and the world.

In our reading, we find God's love extending to David, Jesse’s youngest son, who was serving in a lowly shepherd role. Without God’s guidance, Samuel might not have recognized a shepherd as “king material.”

The question that came up for me in this passage was, like Samuel, do I judge by appearances? For example, our communities are enriched because people across diversity’s continuums, race, ethnicity, gender, age, abilities, the list goes on, serve capably in many roles. Nevertheless, I hear and read as you no doubt do as well, that we sometimes imply some people “don’t look the part,” we judge by appearance.

However, today’s verses reveal that whether people are in lowly roles like shepherds or powerful positions like kings, God's call to serve is based on what God sees on their hearts (16:7). During our Lenten journeys, let’s look beyond appearances and, instead, let’s look for people’s hearts as God does. That’s where we can find God loving us and the world.

LET US PRAY

All-seeing God, forgive us when we wrongfully judge people by their appearances or statuses. Help us look on all of your children’s hearts and love them just as you love them. Amen.