Not Irrelevant in God’s Eyes

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16 verse 7. Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Not Irrelevant in God's Eyes was written by Lisa M. Samra and read by Tony Collier. 1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 1 and verses 6 through 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.

Now picking up at verse 6. When they arrived, 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 all the things people look at.

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said the Lord has not chosen this one either.

Jesse then had Shema pass by. But Samuel said, Nor has the Lord chosen this one. Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to him, The Lord has not chosen these. 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. 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. 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. Not Irrelevant in God's Eyes Written by Lisa M. Samra During the annual National Football League draft, professional football teams choose new players. Coaches spend thousands of hours evaluating prospective players' skills and physical fitness. In 2022, Brock Purdy was the last 262nd pick and labeled Mr. Irrelevant, the nickname given to the last football player selected. No one expected he would play in a game during the upcoming season. Just a few months later, however, Purdy led his team to two playoff wins. The reality is that team executives don't always do an effective job identifying potential.

And neither do we. In a familiar Old Testament story, God sent the prophet Samuel to select the next king of Israel from among the sons of Jesse. When Samuel looked at the men, he was swayed by their physical appearance. But God said to him in 1 Samuel 16 verse 7, Do not consider his appearance or his height. Instead, God led him to choose not the oldest or tallest, but the youngest and seemingly least relevant choice, David, who would be Israel's greatest earthly king.

Why do we often do such a poor job evaluating people? Our passage reminds us that people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. When we're asked to select someone to be on a work team or serve on a volunteer committee, we can ask God to give us wisdom to make choices based on qualities valuable to Him. Let's pray. Father, help us to see others as You do, not by their outward appearance, but by the condition of their hearts. Give us wisdom to value and choose people based on the qualities that matter most to You. Thank You, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. When have you felt irrelevant? How might you see people from God's perspective?