Man Looks at Appearance, God Looks at the Heart.

Tuesday 21st January 2020. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 89 and Mark 2:23-28)_

_“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 16:7)*_

Saul who was granted the Kingship on a platter of gold did not live up to God’s expectations. Samuel tried to guide Saul but his efforts were in vain. In truth “power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” People tend to change when they are put in positions of authority (or when they become extremely wealthy). Power intoxicates; it is capable of bringing out the worst in a person.

One of Saul’s crimes was disobedience to God and this was inspired by pride. What is pride? It is the feeling that makes me think I am always right, that nobody knows better than I do, that my opinions are far superior to everyone else because I am the boss, that I don’t have to obey. Saul was told to destroy the Amalekites completely but he spared the king Agag alongside the best of their sheep and oxen.

Saul even prepared a ready-made excuse for disobeying; that he was keeping these items as a sacrifice for God. Pride prevents me from seeing anything wrong in my actions. Saul kept these items because wanted to look good before his soldiers. He wanted to be praised. He had no regard for God. If he feared God, he would have obeyed.

It was time to choose another king for Israel. God sent Samuel to the home of Jesse. One by one Jesse lined up his sons before Samuel, all of them good looking, tall and handsome just like Saul but this time around, God was interested in the content of their hearts. David, being the youngest of his Father’s Son was not even at home. Like his brothers, David had beautiful eyes and was handsome but underneath his beautiful face was a beautiful heart. God choose David and Samuel anointed him.

What lesson do we learn from this story? I am most to be pitied if all I have is physical beauty. They say “looking good is good business.” Our world today is obsessed with beauty, it is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Nobody is ugly anymore. If it is not an attachment, it is body enhancement (fake breasts or fake bottoms), even plastic surgery, there is a beauty-solution for everyone; something to make the man macho-man and something to make the woman a slay-queen.

We make efforts to look good but we barely make efforts to make our hearts look good. We are so attractive but so destructive; we lack good character. Am I attractive to God? Am I more concerned about what people will say about me than what God will say about me? Am I like Saul seeking the praise and admiration of others rather than the glory of God?

Jesus and his disciples were hungry and as they passed through the cornfields, they plucked and ate the grains. Most of us in a similar situation would have been more concerned about what people would say but Jesus was not bothered. He was not trying to impress anyone. Dear friends, do what is right, stop trying to impress people, stop trying to look good before people. Begin to impress God. Be good whether in secret or in public.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may my worship of you come from my heart. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time: Bible Study: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 89 and Mark 2:23-28).