The Unseen Reality
Our perceptions shape our understanding of the world, but what if our perceptions are flawed? The Bible teaches us that God’s perspective is vastly different from ours. In 1 Samuel, we see King Saul’s downfall due to his disobedience and lack of repentance. God then instructs Samuel to anoint a new king from Jesse’s sons in Bethlehem. Samuel, however, doesn’t know which son to choose.
A Lesson in Discernment
As Samuel meets Jesse’s sons, he’s drawn to Eliab, thinking him to be the Lord’s anointed. But God corrects Samuel, saying, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:6-7, ESV). Even Samuel, a prophet of God, was prone to judging by outward appearances.
The Heart of the Matter
We often fall into the same trap, evaluating ourselves and others based on superficial characteristics like size, stature, education, experience, job title, or financial status. We even judge people by their past mistakes. But God looks beyond these external factors, seeking the heart. David, the smallest and seemingly least qualified of Jesse’s sons, was chosen by God to be king because of his heart for God. Despite his flaws and mistakes, David’s repentant heart made him a great leader, warrior, and king.
Seeing with God’s Eyes
As we navigate our daily lives, it’s essential to ask ourselves: Do we see things from our limited perspective or do we seek understanding from God? Do we judge by the standards we’ve been taught or by God’s standards? The world may idolize celebrities and heroes based on their outward appearance, but God sees through the facade and knows the heart of man. Will we choose to see with our eyes or with God’s eyes?
A Call to Reflection
Today, take a moment to reflect on how you perceive the world. Are you judging yourself or others based on superficial characteristics? Ask God to give you eyes to see beyond the surface level, to see the heart of those around you, and to understand His perspective. Only then can we truly begin to see the world as God sees it.
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