God See's Different

Today, I want us to think about the world around us. It's very different from the world we read about in the Bible.

In our time, influenced by media and the internet, there's a big focus on looking good and staying healthy. Social media, TV, and other media often set high standards for beauty and health. This can make us feel not so great about ourselves and change how we see each other.

But, when we read the Bible, like the stories of David, Saul, and Samuel, we see how people were judged differently. It was more about family background, jobs, and societal roles. Today, things have changed. Now, it's a lot about how we look. But even with these changes, the Bible's message is still very important and meaningful.

In 1 Samuel 16, the Bible tells us, 'People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.' This simple line is so powerful. It reminds us that what truly matters is not how we look on the outside but what's in our hearts.

As we explore the Bible today, let's remember this difference. Let it help us as we try to think and feel more like God does. We want to see things the way God does, to care more about what's inside a person than how they look on the outside. Let's try to see the beauty in God's way of seeing things in a world that often only looks at the surface.

Point 1: God's Choice Transcends Human Expectations

"In 1 Samuel, chapter 16, we see a powerful example of how God's choices can surprise us."

"In chapter 16, we find the prophet Samuel on a mission to anoint the next king of Israel. I will read, let’s see what happens."

"Samuel sees Eliab, who looks strong and kingly, and thinks he must be the one God has chosen. But God says to Samuel, 'Don't judge by his height or looks; I haven't chosen him. I look at things differently than people do. People see the outside, but I look at the heart.'

This moment shows us the difference between human judgment and God's deeper insight."

"Let's think about Israel back then. Before kings, they had judges. It was a time of confusion and no clear leadership. When they shifted to having kings, it was a huge change. The king was more than a political leader; God chose him and was crucial to the nation's relationship with God. So, it was a big surprise when God chose David, a young shepherd."

"Imagine a girl named Maya from a small town. She doesn't have much, but she loves science. People often overlook her. But her passion and hard work caught the eye of a teacher, who helped her get a scholarship. She became a successful biologist. Maya's story, like David's, shows us that it's not about where we're from or how we look, but what's in our heart."

"This teaches us to trust in God's wisdom and choices. He doesn't look at our outward appearance or where we come from; He looks at our hearts. Let's learn from this and try to see people the way God does, focusing on their hearts, not just what they look like or their background. Remember, God's choices go far beyond what we can see on the surface."

Point 2: God Values the Heart Over Appearances

"As we delve deeper into God’s wisdom, we come to our next big idea: God cares more about our hearts than how we look. This is crucial in understanding why God chooses certain leaders and how we should treat each other."

"Remember the verse we read earlier, 1 Samuel 16:7? It says, 'Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.' This is the key to understanding David's story and God's way of seeing things."

"Think about David's start. He was the youngest kid, a shepherd, not someone you'd pick as a king. His own family didn't think he could be king. But God saw something special in David that others didn’t."

"When Samuel went to pick the new king, God told him not to look at how tall or strong someone was. God saw David's heart – his bravery, faith, and love for God – things that really matter."

"David's life had many big moments, like when he beat Goliath or how he acted when King Saul was chasing him. These showed his strong faith and good heart. He trusted God, followed God’s way, and was honest and strong, even when things were tough."

"Let's challenge ourselves to look beyond what's on the outside. Let’s care more about what's in someone's heart. In a world where we often judge by looks or what we have, we, as Jesus' followers, should see people as He does – looking at their hearts.