The Vine News

I read a recent article about the return of El DeBarge, and had a flashback to my teens when “all this love” was “waiting for you.” All of the girls had their lists of what they were looking for in a boyfriend, and most of those lists started with height, skin color, eye color, and the texture of their hair. Beauty, not character, was our main focus.

In I Samuel 16, the prophet was sent to Bethlehem to anoint a new king while the old king was still in office. The Lord told Samuel He would choose from among the sons of Jesse, and as soon as Samuel saw the eldest boy – a vision of everything Samuel expected of a leader – he proclaimed out loud “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!”

But the Lord gently rebuked his prophet and said “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.”

Israel had already chosen a king based on what looked kingly. Saul was dreadfully handsome, and head and shoulders above all men. But he was also mean- tempered, cowardly and disobedient, and the Lord rejected him.

This youngster who was chosen to replace him was bright eyed and good looking, but he was also short and smelled like sheep. And he was just a boy – the runt of the family.
But he became more than Israel could have hoped for -- a mighty warrior who subdued nation after nation, a thorough administrator who established a unified government, and all the time a worshipper and model for the people, loving God unconditionally.

The Bible records that David was the greatest king Israel ever had, and a man after God’s own heart.

Most of us ladies have been down the road of choosing Mr. Good Looking for ourselves, only to be left with a bill of goods. He satisfied our eyes and our hearts (and sometimes our pocketbooks) were left aching. Or maybe it was the job that seemed so great on paper until we entered the door and it sapped all the life from us.

When we choose for ourselves, we often choose wrong, especially when our criteria is based in things that do not matter. But the Lord is into what counts, and He chooses for Himself and for us His very best.

Do not reject the Lord’s selection. It may not look like what we were expecting, but it will turn out better than we ever dreamed.