The Lord Looks at the Heart

After Saul's disobedience, the Lord sent Samuel to anoint a new king and led him to the family of a man named Jesse.  Here's I Samuel 16:6-12...

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
 ⁷ 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 the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
 ⁸ Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” ⁹ Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” ¹⁰ Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” ¹¹ 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.”
 ¹² 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.”

We live in a superficial, shallow culture where outward appearances are severely over-valued.  But God looks at the heart and made each one of us exactly as He planned to, giving us all of the talents and abilities we need to reach our destiny in service to Christ.  We need to take the callings the Lord has given us and pursue them boldly with our confidence in Him.  Remember, the only one that can keep you from fulfilling your destiny in Christ is yourself.  If your heart is pure and you do your best, great things will happen.