Devotional Thought

Samuel was instructed by God to go, and anoint a king among Jesse’s children. Jesse presented seven of his children to Samuel, and they were consecrated according to God’s direction given to Samuel. The process of determining the king begins immediately, after the purification ceremony, and all the seven sons of Jesse were not chosen.

Left for Samuel he would have anointed the first son as the chosen king, because the height looked appropriate, but the Lord interrupted him. The Bible says, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

The mystery of God’s choice: a man’s heart is of higher value to God than a man’s height. It is the state of your heart not the height of your stature that counts in God’s sight. You may have the right height, without the right heart, you are disqualified before the Lord.

A right Height or a Right Heart

All the seven sons of Jesse looked right, according to human standard, and they were consecrated having gone through the ritual cleansing, according to God’s command, but they were not chosen, because their heart condition was wrong.

When David came in the Lord said to Samuel, “arise, anoint him, for this is the one.” David did not have the right height, and he did not go through the ritual of purification like his brothers, but he was chosen and anointed by the Lord.

David was not perfect, and definitely unclean, because he did not go through the purification ritual, but his heart was right with God. God will always sacrifice the height for the heart, because the real man is inside. What is the condition of your heart?

Let’s Talk About It.

How can we develop the right heart?

Prayer Starter

Father, circumcise my heart afresh, in Jesus’ name.