BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 16:1–13 (KJV)
1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him.
7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
EXHORTATION
KEY VERSE
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 SAMUEL 16:7
Welcome to Mercy Speaking Devotional on this blessed Tuesday, September 29. Today we are reminded that while people often concentrate on what can be seen, God is deeply concerned about what is happening inside us. He is not merely interested in changing our circumstances, appearance, reputation, or position. He wants to shape our hearts.
John G. Paton, the Scottish missionary who served among the people of the New Hebrides, experienced circumstances that could have hardened his heart. In 1858 he went to the island of Tanna as a missionary. Within a year, his wife and infant son died, and he later had to leave the island after years of danger and attacks. Yet his life continued to be devoted to Christian mission. He later returned to the New Hebrides and served on the island of Aniwa. His story shows how seasons of suffering can become part of the formation of a person’s character and dependence upon God.
God often shapes the heart through experiences we would not have chosen for ourselves. David was anointed king, but he did not immediately sit on a throne. Before the palace came the pasture. Before public recognition came private faithfulness. Before David was known as a king, he was known as a shepherd.
That is important because God was not simply preparing David for a position; He was preparing David’s heart.
When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s house, he was impressed by Eliab’s appearance. Samuel saw what human beings naturally notice—height, appearance and outward strength. But God corrected his perspective: “For the LORD seeth not as man seeth.” God was looking deeper. He was looking at the heart.
This means that God’s work in your life may be taking place in areas that other people cannot see. He may be teaching you patience when nobody notices. He may be teaching you forgiveness when you have every reason to hold on to resentment. He may be teaching you humility after success, faithfulness when there is no applause, and self-control when nobody would know if you compromised.
These things may not immediately appear impressive, but they matter greatly to God.
A beautiful appearance cannot compensate for a bitter heart. A successful career cannot replace godly character. Religious activity cannot substitute for genuine surrender. God is interested in the person you are becoming when nobody is watching.
Sometimes God allows difficult situations to expose what is already inside us. A stressful situation may reveal impatience. Disappointment may reveal bitterness. Correction may reveal pride. Delay may reveal a lack of trust. Instead of merely asking, “Lord, when will this situation change?” we should sometimes ask, “Lord, what are You showing me about my heart through this situation?”
That question can lead to transformation.
The good news is that God does not reveal the condition of our hearts in order to destroy us. He reveals it so that He can change us. When the Holy Spirit shows you jealousy, pride, unforgiveness, dishonesty, impatience, anger or selfishness, do not hide from God. Bring it to Him. Confess it. Ask for mercy. Allow Him to work.
David himself was not perfect. His life included serious failures, including adultery and the arranged death of Uriah. Yet when confronted with his sin, David eventually acknowledged it before God. In Psalm 51:10 he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” That is the prayer of someone who understands that the deepest work God does is heart work.
God is still shaping hearts today.
Perhaps He is shaping yours through a season of waiting. Perhaps He is teaching you to love people who do not appreciate you. Perhaps He is removing attitudes that have controlled you for years. Perhaps He is teaching you to forgive, to pray, to obey His Word, or to depend upon Him rather than upon your own strength.
Do not despise the process.
A sculptor does not destroy a block of stone when he removes pieces from it. He is revealing what was hidden within. In a similar way, God’s correction, discipline and transforming grace can remove what does not belong so that Christ’s character becomes increasingly visible in us.
The ultimate purpose is not simply that we become nicer, more successful or more respectable people. God wants us to become more like Christ. He wants our hearts to reflect His love, holiness, humility, compassion, truth and obedience.
That is why Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Today, do not measure your spiritual growth only by what people can see. Ask God to examine what nobody else can see. Ask Him to shape your motives, attitudes, desires, thoughts and responses. Ask Him to make you faithful in private before He makes you fruitful in public.
Your heart is worth God’s attention.
And if you surrender it to Him, the same God who shaped David in the hidden places can shape you into the person He has called you to become.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What area of your heart is God asking you to surrender, correct, or allow Him to transform today?
PRAYER POINTS
1. Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your mercy, grace and patience with me. Thank You for loving me enough to continue working in my life and shaping me according to Your purpose.
2. Father, have mercy upon me and forgive every sin, wrong attitude, hidden weakness and ungodly motive in my heart. Cleanse me and make me whole.
3. Lord, search my heart and reveal anything in me that does not please You. Give me the humility to acknowledge it and the grace to surrender it to You.
4. Father, shape my character through every season of my life. Teach me patience, humility, self-control, forgiveness, faithfulness and obedience.
5. Holy Spirit, help me to guard my heart carefully. Let Your Word govern my thoughts, emotions, desires, decisions and relationships.
6. Lord Jesus, make me increasingly like You. Let Your love, holiness, compassion, humility and obedience become evident in my daily life.
7. Father, I thank You because You are not finished with me. Thank You for patiently shaping my heart and making me more useful for Your glory. Help me to remain yielded to You until Christ is formed in me, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
