DON’T JUDGE BY APPEARANCES
The Rock Teaching Ministry Read: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Meditation verse:
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 samuel 16:7)
The other day, I picked up what looked like a little journal in a cute hardcover case and thought to myself, “This is just the perfect journal to carry around.” Curious and excited, I removed it from its case—only to discover it wasn’t a journal at all, but a beautiful cosmetic set. I stared at it in disbelief. That item had been part of a gift bag from a conference I attended the previous year. Mistaking it for a journal, I had tucked it away in my drawer of books without ever opening it. I had been so sure of what it was that I hadn’t bothered to look inside.
As I stood there, God gently reminded me of a similar moment in Scripture. When the Lord sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king to replace disobedient Saul, Samuel arrived at Jesse’s house and saw Eliab, the first son. Impressed by his appearance, Samuel immediately assumed, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” But God corrected him: “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” (1 Samuel 16:7, NKJV). The one God had chosen—the ruddy, bright-eyed, good-looking shepherd boy named David—was still in the field, completely overlooked by everyone, including the prophet. Samuel had almost missed God’s choice because he judged by what he saw on the surface.
We often make the same mistake. We size people up based on first impressions, choose paths based on what looks most promising, or dismiss opportunities that seem too small or too humble. But God sees beyond the surface. Proverbs 3:5–reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” And James 1:5 encourages us to ask for help when uncertain: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Psalm 32:8 assures us of His guidance:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”
What decisions are you facing right now? Are you at a crossroads in life—choosing a spouse, recruiting a team, considering a business idea, or navigating a major transition? Invite God into the process. Ask Him for a discerning heart. Don’t miss out on God’s best because you’re too focused on what things look like on the outside. Beautiful gifts often come in unlikely packages. It may not look like it, but it just might be it. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?
He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."
Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.
If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com
I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.
Give, to enable us to reach more people
- Click to Donate
- Volunteer to serve with your gifts. We need editors, administrators and translators Email us Here
