Appearances. What one sees with that naked eye reveals something? And if our mouth speaks, then others know what is on our heart.
The prophet Samuel was sent to anoint the one God was calling to leadership. It would be someone who would eventually replace King Saul.
1 Samuel 16:6-13
6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before Him." 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his 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." 8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these." 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here." 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!" 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
NKJV
When it came time to choose a leader for the country, the prophet went to the house of Jesse.
He viewed the mighty men who were military leaders. They held some position with and under the rule of King Saul.
Yet, when the prophet came, he listened with the ear of intent to know who God had chosen as the future ruler and king. Samuel thought Eliab was the one, but God had another in mind.
Yes, that heart can be of good fruit that flings forth good to others or it can be of the bad fruit that flings out bad and diseased things to others.
What is the intention of our heart?
What is our motivation in doing anything for God? Is it about giving praise to God or do we need the praise instead?
Finding our heart leaning in this direction is finding our own identity.....and looking for praise in what we do and not His.
David's was an intent, a motivation to give God glory and praise!
1 Chronicles 29:14-19
14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided." NIV
Having an honest intent to please the Father was David's heart! He was forever writing and singing psalms to the God whom he loved and cherished. David had spent so much time with the Father God that he recognized how He was pleased in every endeavor and done in integrity.
In the following we are reminded of the speaking of Paul to Timothy.
2 Timothy 1:8-12
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
NKJV
Passing the heart inspection with God is willing to be a prisoner of the Lord God. It is He Who saved us. He called us and brought life and immortality. Paul had his heart set, not ashamed, but persuaded in truth that God had him. No matter what, Paul had fixed his heart to be intent to hear God, and obey.
In returning to Eliab and David in 1 Samuel, we are reminded of Eliab's anger against David. Read below:
1 Samuel 17:26-30
26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him."
28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle." 29 And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?" 30 Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. NKJV
It is interesting that his brother would make such a statement....."Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle."
David wrote this:
In returning to Eliab and David in 1 Samuel, we are reminded of Eliab's anger against David. Read below:
1 Samuel 17:26-30
26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him."
28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle." 29 And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?" 30 Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. NKJV
It is interesting that his brother would make such a statement....."Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle."
What battle? The men all stayed off to the sides to see what Goliath was going to do.
So why would this military man be so envious of little David. Was it because David was addressing what needed to be said, and then actually do? The "heart" of all these men were tested again that day. David was ready for battle and meet with the enemy face to face. He had passed the heart inspection.
Where is God leading us? Are our hearts passing inspection with the good fruit that can be given to others? Are will we act like Eliab?
When the power of God comes, one will not have to pretend anything. One will not have to gloat over their ability, for God in His wonderful power will let other's see that you have an ability that comes from God alone, for your heart is set on Him ALONE! Like David, we too, have to remember to give praise where praise is due. And we must remember to allow the Holy Spirit into every situation of our lives.
David took God with him out to tend sheep and then God took him into real battle. In estimation the giant was some 18 feet tall. David was a mere what, maybe a possible 5'5''? So that heart inspection is important and passing is God appointed. For He always comes to check our motives, our devotion, our faith, our relationship with Him and our relationship with others.David wrote this:
Psalm 119:9-20
9 How can a young man stay pure? By reading your Word and following its rules. 10 I have tried my best to find you-don't let me wander off from your instructions. 11 I have thought much about your words and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin.
12 Blessed Lord, teach me your rules. 13 I have recited your laws 14 and rejoiced in them more than in riches. 15 I will meditate upon them and give them my full respect. 16 I will delight in them and not forget them.
17 Bless me with life so that I can continue to obey you. 18 Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. 19 I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map-and your commands are my chart and guide. 20 I long for your instructions more than I can tell. TLB
Oh that we might see wonderful things in God's Word......remember we are but pilgrims here on earth and to keep God's road map for our lives ever before us........and be forever guided to passing that heart inspection!
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