November 21, 2024

The Most Important Quality

In 1 Samuel 16:6–7, when Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king of Israel, we see the criteria God uses to choose people for service to Him,

So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before Him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “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.”

This is a fascinating story with a very strong lesson I want you to understand. Right after these verses, Jesse parades each of his sons before Samuel…except for David. Jesse knows why Samuel is there, but he doesn’t even bother to get David.

David’s own father had written him off. His own father didn’t see enough potential in him to call him before Samuel.

But David was anointed king that day. Not based on what Jesse thought was important, but on what God thought was important…David’s heart.

Maybe your own father has written you off. Maybe your parents said you would never amount to anything. Maybe your teacher said, “Look, you’re not going to amount to much. You just better get yourself a minimum wage job.”

Only God can see things in your heart that your father can’t see, that your mother can’t see, that your teachers didn’t see, that your family doesn’t see, that the people around you don’t see.

It is not that God overlooks ability or talent or training. All of those things are important. But God looks first at the most important quality for service, and that is the heart.

Don’t let someone else write your history before it happens.

Read previous devotionals

January 12, 2025

Becoming a Person of Mercy

Luke 6:38 tells us, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the...

January 11, 2025

Rejoicing in God’s Mercy

We all are familiar with the story of the Prodigal Son. After he had wasted his inheritance, he came to his senses and returned home, hoping he could just be...

January 10, 2025

Hoping in God’s Mercy

In our last devotional, Psalm 147:10–11 showed us how important fearing God is to pleasing Him. He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure...