Appearance
Means Nothing To God
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."
I
Samuel 16:7
We
live in a very self-engaged society. Everyone is
caught up in their own thing or things as they carry
out tasks that are high on their list of priorities.
Many of these activities are not done because they are
absolutely essential to human existence. Many things
are done for "appearance sake".
We do
not like to admit it but it is very true. Both men and
women spend a ridiculous amount of money each year on
various "beauty aids" to assist them in the
upkeep of their appearance. Many of those
"aids" are really no help at all though
perhaps they stroke our ego and make us feel better.
Why do
we go to such lengths? Why the expensive shoes and
suits with the matching ties and hankies? Why the
designer dresses with matching shoes and handbags? Why
the endless trips to the beauty salons and tanning
booths when life is already jam-packed as it is?
A
simple "law of society" motivates us. In the
society we live in appearance has come to mean
everything. People will go to great extremes for
"appearance sake" even if that measure means
sinning.
I have
been in ministry for over 10 years and quickly found
that the sure fire way to get a promotion in the
church was to give the appearance of having it all
together. That meant not only having perfectly fitting
clothes and every hair in place, often times it meant
stifling emotions or dreams and maybe at times a word
from the Lord for His people.
Yet
something happened in my life over the past 5 years as
I have walked down this path of pain. I have found
that what I feared was indeed true. Yes, appearance
does mean everything to man. But in addition I am
delighted to find that it means absolutely NOTHING to
God. You can impress people all you want but the only
way to leave an impression upon God is by humble
obedience to His Word and His plan.
In I
Samuel 16:7 Samuel had gone to anoint the next king.
When he got to Eliab who was one of David’s brothers
it was apparent that he had the looks of a king.
Samuel was probably thinking that surely he was the
one. Yet God told him not to even give him another
look, that He had refused him. Along with that a very
powerful statement is made by God concerning Himself.
He tells Samuel that He does not see things the way
man does. He does not look at the appearance of
physical stature and is not interested in what can be
seen outwardly. God says that He looks at the heart.
As my
illness has dragged on most of the good appearance
that I prided myself upon maintaining even throughout
the worst part of this affliction has been stripped
from me. It has been a very painful time for me. It
has also been a time of tremendous growth. Some things
we know with our heads but God longs to do a work in
our hearts that is lasting and complete.
If you
are burning yourself out to keep things up for
"appearance sake", or you are spending hours
trying to improve or preserve your physical appearance
I have news for you. You are wasting your time. God
sees past all right to the heart of each one of us.
When He examines your heart and my heart I wonder just
what He sees. Appearance is nothing to God but the
condition of our hearts means EVERYTHING to Him!
Prayer:
Father
God we come to You in humble adoration. We worship You
as the Creator of all things. We acknowledge You as
the One Who knows our hearts. It is hard for us to
phantom that You look past all the outward things into
the deep recesses of our hearts, yet we know it is
true according to Your Word.
Society has wrapped us in a cocoon of ritualistic
activities done all for "appearance sake."
Forgive us Father, for all the times that we cared
more about others than we cared about You.
David was a man "after God's heart" and we
long to follow hard after You as well. Continue to
unwrap the cocoon from us so that we can truly be free
to be all You have created us to be. May our outward
appearance only give off the radiance that comes from
intimately knowing You.
In
Jesus' Name!
Amen!
