1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV: The Heart of the Matter
In the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 16, verse 7, we find a profound statement that highlights God's perspective on human evaluation. This verse is a powerful reminder of God's sovereign nature and His ways, which are often incomprehensible to us.
The Verse
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV)
The Context
The context of this verse is the anointing of David as the future king of Israel. Samuel, the prophet, had been sent by God to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the next king, but God rejected all of Jesse's sons who presented themselves before Samuel. Finally, David, the youngest son, was anointed, despite his lack of physical stature and impressive appearance.
The Principle
The principle stated in this verse is a fundamental truth about God's nature. God does not evaluate people based on their outward appearance, social status, or physical strength. Instead, He looks at the heart, which is the seat of our thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This principle is a powerful reminder that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
Implications
This verse has several implications for our daily lives:
Do not judge others based on outward appearances
We often judge people based on how they look, dress, or behave. However, God's reminder is that we should not judge others based on their outward appearance. Instead, we should look beyond the surface and try to understand their hearts.
God values inner character
God is more concerned with our inner character than our external appearance. This means that we should focus on developing our inner self, rather than trying to impress others with our outward appearance.
God sees what we cannot see
God's ability to see the heart is a reminder that He sees what we cannot see. He knows our thoughts, motivations, and desires, even when we try to hide them from others.
Conclusion
The verse in 1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His ways, which are often incomprehensible to us. As we navigate our daily lives, let us remember to look beyond the outward appearance and focus on the heart. Let us strive to develop our inner character, and trust that God sees what we cannot see.
