The Lord looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:6-11, Then it came about when they entered, that he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.”

Samuel’s stated purpose was to offer sacrifice; his mission was to anoint King Saul’s replacement. The family of David considered their youngest son not even worthy to come to the sacrifice, and Samuel thought that Eliab must be the one judging by his appearance. The Lord was looking for the one who would be known as “a man after God’s own heart.” He sees in others what we can’t see. Am I willing to be used to reach someone that I don’t think is worthy?

Open our eyes to see the heart of others through Your eyes, to know how to reach out to them in Your love.