Apr
Look At The Heart
This week we began a new series of messages on the life of one of the most famous people in the Bible. His name is David. Yes, the guy who battled the giant Goliath. And, the guy who committed a terrible sin with a woman named Bathsheba.
Most people have heard of David. He is one of the most prominent people in the Old Testament. His acts of courage are numerous. And, his failures are well known.
Do you remember how David was chosen to be the King of Israel? Actually, he was the second king of the united nation of Israel. He lived at about 1000 BC.
You can read the account for yourself in First Samuel chapter 16. A prophet named Samuel went to the home of a man named Jesse. Jesse and his eight sons lived in a small town near Jerusalem named Bethlehem. Yes, the same town where Jesus was born about 1000 years later!
Samuel was looking for a new king. As he met one of Jesse’s sons, he was impressed by his size and physical strength. He thought this must be the man he was looking for. But verse seven says, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart”.
God is not impressed with outward strength but with inner character. We tend to focus on a person’s outward appearance, but God focuses on the person’s heart.
I’m sure that all of us are guilty of making the mistake by looking at people’s outward qualities instead of their inner character. I’m sure that my generation jumps to conclusions when we see someone covered with tattoos or body piercing. I’m sure that the younger generation jumps to conclusions about older people who dress “out of style” or have grey hair.
I want to challenge you to change your focus. Start listening to people and get to know their heart. Don’t develop your opinion of others based on their outward appearance. Younger people have a lot to teach us. And, older people have a lot to share, too. There is a lot we can learn from one another.
Don’t draw conclusions about other people based on their outward appearance. Take a look at their heart!