Man Looks at Appearance, God Looks at the Heart.

Tuesday 18th January 2022. Read 1 Sam. 16:1-13, Ps. 89:20-22,27-28 Mark 2:23-28

“Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The LORD has not chosen these.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he comes here.’” (1 Samuel 16:10-11)

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.”

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. 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. 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. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 2 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Sam. 16:1-13, Ps. 89:20-22,27-28 Mark 2:23-28).