Looking on the Heart

By F. R. W. Kimberley

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     "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).

     This is as true today as when God first revealed it to Samuel. It's truth is illustrated throughout the scriptures and to a certain extent it is inevitable because man cannot see the heart of man, but "the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:12, 13).

     Man may deceive man, and be quite satisfied with outward appearance, judging by that standard alone, but appearances can be deceptive and may not be a true indication of character, causing misunderstandings. God can never be deceived!

     In 1 Samuel 16 we hear of the need for a new king. Saul had disobeyed God's direct commands and was rejected. Samuel was sent to Bethlehem to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as king of Israel, but he was afraid that Saul would kill him. God told him to make the visit an occasion of sacrifice and worship and invite Jesse to the ceremony. He said, "I will show thee what thou shalt do, and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee."

     Samuel went, but the elders trembled, asking, "Comest thou peaceably?" Samuel replied, "Peaceably." Then the sons of Jesse passed before the prophet one by one. The first, Eliab, was tall, every inch a soldier, and probably the choice of his father as well as of Samuel. But the Lord said, "Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him. For the Lord seeth not as a man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

     Abinadab and Shammah were also refused. Seven sons marched by, and finally, only one remained, the youngest, who was away tending the sheep. He was considered too insignificant to be invited to the feast, but when he was summoned the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he."

     David the shepherd boy, an outdoors lad, his face ruddy from the sunshine and the wind, but with a nature kind and protective; who composed the psalms and hymns telling of God's love and power, who remained with the sheep in times of danger, and who had practiced with sling and stone until he could hit any target--David was God's choice to be the second king of Israel. He had many adventures before Samuel died and Saul was slain. He became Saul's armor bearer, met Goliath, became a captain in the royal army, and at thirty was made king. David was recognized as God's choice and gained the confidence of the whole nation which he led from discord and strife into harmony and peace.

     There are those who point out David's failures and are contemptuous of his shortcomings, forgetting the depth of his repentance and the agony of his remorse. David lived in rough heathenish days. There was no perfect life for an example, no cross to warn of the result of wickedness. We should thank God for all of the Psalms, especially Psalm 51, with its words of true repentance.

     The story of God's choice through Samuel has long gone by, but the principle remains. The lesson is just as necessary today, for despite many illustrations and warnings given in the word of God, human nature is the same, and still avoids their application.

     James says, "For if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring,

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in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, and ye have respect to him who wears the gay clothing, and say unto him. Sit here in a good place; and say to the poor. Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool...Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that loved him?"

     How much sorrow is caused today by division-- in nations--through wealth, and through jealousy and snobbery. Man's ways are weak and incomplete when judging his fellows. While our active lives are manifest unto all, our motives are known only to God. Man chooses from the outward appearance, but "the Lord looketh on the heart."

     Editor's Note. The author of the above has been a humble preacher in Canada for many years. After suffering from a massive stroke which left him completely paralyzed, this article was forwarded to us by his daughter, Mrs. A. R. Yoxhall, 1334 Cawthra Road, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.