Outward Appearances

We live in a world where appearances are every thing… at least that is the way it seems to be for the most part! Keeping up appearances seems to be a full time job for many people in our North American context. Many people today spend time extraordinary amounts of time, money, and energy attempting to keep up the appearance that they are successful and better than the person next to them.

However… all this time and energy that we spend inflating our place in this world can come crumbling down around us in an instant! One phone call from the doctor with some test results can bring us down to earth pretty quickly. A late night visit from the local authorities with news of deadly car accident can take the false foundations we create right out from underneath us. A world-wide recession can cause our house of cards to come tumbling down, exposing the real truth behind who we really are, rather than who we have attempted to portray ourselves to be!

The reality is… we waste inordinate amounts of energy each and every day attempting to portray to the world around us a good image but God is NEVER interested in appearances... in image!

In the 16th chapter of the Old Testament book of 1st Samuel… the Bible records for us exactly how God feels about outward appearances.

Check out what the author writes…

“Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” 2 But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” “Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.” 4 So Samuel did as the Lord instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?” 5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too. 6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” 7 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.” 8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.” 1st Samuel 16:1-13 NLT

In this section of 1st Samuel… the prophet Samuel was given the responsibility of anointing the new King of Israel. As he stood with Jesse his initial reactions to the sons of Jesse was very much the kind of reaction we would expect still today.

When he took one look at Jesse’s oldest son his initial reaction was one that still permeates our culture today. Eliab was tall, dark, and handsome! He had the look of someone that people would follow. In our culture we would say that he had the look that would turn heads when he entered a room! Eliab had charisma and by outward appearances he had what Jesse would thought it would take... to lead the nation of Israel!

However… God in verse 7 reminds Samuel… and each of us that God doesn’t look at outward appearances. He tells Samuel that He doesn’t judge by appearances, by the things we allow to formulate our opinions.

In verse 7... Our Heavenly Father tells this prophet that we are quick to judge by appearances... BUT He looks deeper, He looks at the heart!

Now… when God says He looks at the heart what He wants us to know is He judges people based upon their faith and their character. Most people today spend hours each day attempting to maintain their outward appearances but God who sees what is really going on… judges on the inside!

You see… according to God what really matters is what is going on in the heart… on the inside! God deeply cares about our heart’s attitude and our character because the REAL goal of life and faith is... for us to continually grow in the character of His Son!

When David entered the picture on that day, God saw someone who had a heart for God’s will and purposes. He saw a young man who by outward appearances, who by worldly standards, did not measure up! But by heavenly perspectives, God saw a young man who had everything it would take to lead the nation into the prominence that God desired for His favored people!

Now… let me ask you a simple question:

“What would our world look like today, if God’s people were spending more time seeking to build their character rather than worrying what the person next to them thought?”

You see... in God’s Kingdom… God is looking for people who are committed to becoming like His Son… who are dedicated to building the inside… rather than working so hard to look the part!

The TRUTH is...God cares deeply about the core of our lives rather than the covering!

Today… let me challenge you to look deeply into your lives… and to consider how much time and efforts you spend in building outward appearances!

Do you spend more time on the outside than you spend on the inside?

Well… if you do maybe today is the day to make a change for the better! Maybe today is the day to spend some time and energy building on what really lasts!

Pressing into God on the journey…

Rev Trev