Be ready for God’s Criteria

 

Text: 1Samuel 16:7 (KJV)

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.

Friends, have you ever noticed that God uses completely different standard for selection than man does? God’s criteria are not the same as human criteria because He does not see as man sees. He is not impressed by physical appearance or outward packaging, so our eye-service can never move Him. God can reject a man and, at the same time, spot a new vessel in the crowd to anoint, based solely on His righteous judgment. From Scripture, we see a time when a new king was needed because the former king, Saul, had been rejected by the Lord. God then sent His servant Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint a replacement. Jesse presented his seven sons - tall, handsome, and outwardly qualified, thinking one of them must surely be chosen. Yet, the Lord was not impressed by any of them. Finally, Jesse called for his youngest son, David, whom he did not even consider king-worthy. However, the Lord instructed Samuel to anoint David because he was the one God had chosen. Do you know that God has seen your secret efforts and will reward you openly? What God saw in David was not outward appearance only but something inward in his heart. As Luke 8:17 says, “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.” Interestingly, even Samuel initially thought Eliab, the eldest son, must be God’s choice because of his appearance. But God looks at the heart, and this was what made David fit for the throne. As 1 Samuel 2:3 reminds us, “For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.” I pray that we will meet God’s parameters for divine selection, in Jesus’ name. We may try to cover ourselves with makeup, packaging, or rebranding, but God sees beyond all that. He looks inward at the real person. Psalm 147:10 tells us that God does not delight in human strength or physical ability.

Interestingly, we must also be spiritually sensitive to recognize moments of divine opportunity so we do not operate under expired assignments or miss God’s timing. May that never be our portion, in Jesus’ name. To see correctly, we must learn to see through God’s eyes. Human assessment is often limited and conditional because it is based on outward observation. Therefore, our mindset must shift to align with God’s perspective. Outward appearance can be deceptive, so we must be careful. God also gave clear criteria when selecting deacons in Acts 6:3: Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. So, the early believers chose men like Stephen and Philip who met God’s standard, and this pleased the entire assembly. Therefore, let us prepare and groom ourselves to meet God’s parameters in our calling. There are many vacancies in God’s work because the harvest is great but the laborers are few. Position yourself to become a vessel that fits God’s divine standard. I pray that God will help you and prepare you for His purpose, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINTS:

1.       Oh Lord, please purge our eyes, so we will not accept whom God has refused, in Jesus name.

2.       Father, I pray, nobody will take my position or my place no matter where I am located but grace will find me out in Jesus name.

3.       Father, please have mercy and deliver us from wrong choice of leadership in Jesus name.

ACTION QUOTE: Ask yourself, am I struggling on a task which the Lord did not choose for me?