The Heart That Matters

Bible verse of the day - 1 Samuel 16:7

NIV (New International Version):

"But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

KJV (King James Version):

"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."

NKJV (New King James Version):

"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.’”

NLT (New Living Translation):

"But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

ESV (English Standard Version):

"But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’”

MSG (The Message):

"But God told Samuel, ‘Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.’”

From 1 Samuel 16:7, we learn several important lessons:

1. God Values the Heart Over Appearance:

Unlike humans who tend to focus on outward appearances, God looks beyond what is visible and sees the true nature of a person—their heart, intentions, and character. This teaches us to prioritize inner qualities such as integrity, humility, and love, rather than being concerned with external factors like beauty, status, or wealth.

2. God's Perspective is Different: 

Our judgment is often limited and flawed because we can only see what is on the surface. God, however, sees the entire picture. This reminds us that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and His judgments are perfect because they are based on complete knowledge.

3. Humility in Leadership: 

The context of the verse involves Samuel seeking the next king of Israel. While people might have chosen based on physical attributes, God chose David because of his heart. This teaches us that in leadership, God seeks those with hearts after Him, not necessarily those with the most impressive outward qualifications.

4. Avoid Superficial Judgments:

We are reminded to avoid judging others solely by their appearances or external achievements. Just as God looks at the heart, we should strive to see beyond the surface in our relationships and interactions with others.


5. God’s Sovereignty in Choosing:

Ultimately, God chooses who will fulfill His purposes, often in ways that challenge our assumptions. David was the youngest and least likely candidate by human standards, but God chose him because of his heart, reminding us that God’s plans transcend our expectations.

This verse calls us to develop a heart that pleases God—one that is full of love, humility, and faithfulness.

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