I SAMUEL 16:7 “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: What does God see? Most of us are familiar with the story of Samuel anointing David to be King in place of Saul. When Samuel had anointed Saul, Saul was taller in stature than any other man. He looked like a King! Yet, Saul did not have a heart of obedience. God rejected Saul as King and called Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be King. After the Lord dismisses the first 7 sons of Jesse, Samuel inquires – “Are all the young men here?”

Jesse seems reluctant to tell Samuel about his youngest son, David. David is called, he appears before Samuel in all of his youth and exuberance, and the Lord says – “This is the one!” Samuel would not have picked him. Jesse, his own father would not have picked him. Yet, God, who looks at the heart, sees one who will obey His commands and is a true worshipper.

As I read this story once again I almost passed it by. It is so familiar that I kept reading and then the Holy Spirit kept pulling me back to verse 7. I would read a little and then reverse back to verse 7. It was like I was on a see-saw going back and forth, over and over again. So, I stopped and prayed – “Lord, what are you trying to speak to me this morning?” This is what I heard the Spirit whisper to my heart.

“How does God see you?”

These were not words of judgment. The Holy Spirit was not addressing my lack before God. I sensed that the Holy Spirit was addressing my sense of lack within myself. When I look in the mirror – what do I see? Do I see what God sees? Or, do I see what others see, what I have been told about myself, or what I have come to think of myself based on my own failures and disappointments?

“How does God see me?”

This is a question I never asked myself as I read this text. It is a question I feel will ever be in my mind and heart whenever I read this account. When God looks at me and when God looks at you, He sees our full potential in Christ Jesus! David was not fit to be King when he was called – but God saw his potential. I was not fit to serve the Lord when I was called – but God saw my potential.

I need to start seeing what God sees!

This is not so I can pat myself on the back or brag about my accomplishments. Honestly, the scale is tipped in favor of my failures and disappointments to ever do that. Yet, I must stop living in my lack. I must look at the potential of Christ in me, the hope of glory. Jesus lives in me through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead resides in me!

I need to see God’s power and potential in my life – and in every life that He has created!

Imagine how the world would change if we started looking at each other through God’s eyes. We would not behold people who are worthless or marginal. Every person would be seen through the love of Jesus Christ and their value would be validated by the awesomeness of His sacrifice. We would begin calling people to be reconciled to God and to reach their full potential in Christ.

We would begin to see as God sees us!

Lord, give me new eyes to see my life as You see it. Help me see each person as a highly valued soul for which you have died. Give me a burning in my heart to call men and women to be reconciled to Jesus Christ and to reach their full potential. Open my eyes so that I can see Jesus in others and that they can see Jesus and open their hearts to Him as their personal Savior and Lord!

Help me see as You see!

In Jesus’ Name!