The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. (1 Sam. 16:7)
I’m curious to know what David’s brothers were doing when Samuel showed up at Jesse’s house in Bethlehem to anoint a king. We don’t know why the older brothers were so readily available, but we do know what their youngest brother was doing. He was tending the sheep.
As the seven sons began making their way before him, Samuel was impressed by the physical appearance of the oldest, Eliab. He thought surely this must be the one God had chosen to be king. But God explained that such things were irrelevant to Him; He was much more focused on the future king’s heart. Interesting, then, that God had Samuel call for the son who at that moment was busy shepherding, nurturing those under his care.
We don’t know everything God saw in David’s heart or what specifically made him a better choice than all of his brothers. But we do know that God’s heart is like the heart of a shepherd. And we know that this young shepherd boy became a shepherd-king who was a forerunner of the greatest Shepherd of all (John 10).
What does God see when He looks at your heart? Is it full of selfish ambition or is it characterized by a desire to care for and nurture those God has placed under your care?
Be faithful to nurture those God has placed in your care.
Kevin Scott is a pastor, acquisitions editor, and author of ReCreatable. He lives in Noblesville, Indiana, with his wife and three children.
