Inner Beauty

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” (1 Samuel 16:6-12 ESV).

 

Tucked away in the anointing of David to become the king of Israel there is a wonderful truth. We find it in our reading today. Samuel was instructed to go to Jesse and anoint this new king as God had chosen. He was not told which son it would be, as he examines each he uses their outward appearance to make his selection. Each time the Lord tells him he has selected in error. Finally, he asks Jesse if there aren’t any other boys. Jesse almost apologizes when he says, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep” (v. 9). Samuel’s judgment of David was kind in the same way we say “bless his heart” in the South. Then the Lord says, “He’s the one” (Don’s paraphrase). It was his inner beauty that the Lord saw.

 

 Lots of people want to be exceptionally beautiful. Many go to long, expensive lengths to improve on what God has created on the outside. Can I gently remind you that God didn’t make any mistakes in created you just the way you are. He made each of us “fearfully and wonderfully” (Psalm 139:14). Make no mistake. I am not suggesting that it is “wrong” to do any of these things. Ladies, it is fine to color you hair and wear makeup; and, men it is fine to do what you can to reduce the effects of aging as well. However, in doing these things, remember this is not how the Lord sees you. He looks to our heart.

 

Be thankful for your body, and take good care of it. Nourish it in a godly way. Stay fit. Dress attractively. Wear a smile. Above all, nourish and strengthen your relationship with the Lord. When your inner beauty of strengthened you become truly beautiful!