On the Outside Looking In
(Lent as vision correction)
(This message is also available at: http://pastorjimdorton.blogspot.com/)
Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 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.” 1 Samuel 16: 6-7
This passage is drawn from the story told in I Samuel where God, having rejected Saul as king, sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse, to anoint one of his sons as the next king. Jesse had eight sons, and all but the youngest were brought before Samuel. Human judgment would have picked the eldest, or the strongest, or the most renown. One by one the seven passed by Samuel without receiving affirmation from God. Only when Samuel asks if there are any more, does Samuel sent for the one God had already chosen, the youngest, the smallest, David.
Why didn’t God just tell Samuel to go anoint David? I don’t know. But I do know that the process Samuel went through has provided a lesson for us all.
Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
We look at other people and make decisions. Sometimes, like Samuel, our decisions are based on appearance, physical appearance. Sometimes, they are based upon the clothes they wear, especially if that’s a reflection of their income. It could be the color of their skin, their accent, or the car they drive.
We make decisions about others based upon a multitude of things that we see.
But God says “no”. He tells us that we can’t see the truth; our perspective is not as His. We cannot see in people what God has in store for them. “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
But, here’s the problem; we tell people they are not rich enough, not pretty enough, not skinny enough, not athletic enough, and they believe us. We see a shepherd – God sees a king!
Samuel so clearly heard the voice of God that his inability to see well did not keep David from the throne. May our inaccurate view of someone’s potential never prevent them from being what God is calling them to be!
During this season of Lent may we sense our own visual shortcomings, and turn our ears, tune our ears, to the truth – to the wonder that God has in store for those around us.
In times when we are shaken, hurting, and afraid, faith is holding, with all we have, with heart, soul, mind, and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Lord willing; see you tomorrow, Pastor Jim
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