Appearance

When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before Him." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. - 1 Samuel 16:6-7

This was the time when God told the prophet Samuel that He would select another king in place of King Saul. He told him to go and see Jesse the Bethlehemite, for He has selected a king among his sons. Samuel did, and Jesse presented his seven sons one after the other. Eliab was his firstborn, Samuel was impressed when he saw Eliab that's why he thought, surely the LORD's anointed is before Him. But God said, No - he is not the one, His selection is not based on appearance and stature but based from the heart.

What does 'heart' mean? It is not our physical heart that pumps up blood in our system. The heart is the total being of man representing who he really is - character, frame of mind whether obedient or disobedient to Him. It pertains to his spirit, soul and body. Our spirit is the one who has a connection to God, our soul is our thinking, willing and feeling and our body is composed of our natural senses. God sees more than our physical appearance, he looks at the inward man and not the outward man.

God selected the youngest of them, his name is David. God called him, a man after God's own heart. How about that? I hope we will likewise be called a man/woman after God's own heart. A heart that is obedient, loving, always seeking after God's will.