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. I Samuel 16:7
Saul as Israel’s king had been rejected by God. He had been rejected because his pride, his selfishness caused him to reject God’s council. Therefore, God looked for a knew king. He sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem and ultimately to the house of Jesse, whose great grandmother was Ruth the Moabite. Now Jesse had eight sons in all, and seven of them had passed by Samuel and by God’s direction, Samuel had rejected all seven. David the youngest who had been tending the sheep was not present. But when David was later brought before Samuel, he was accepted by God to be the next king.
After the first son had passed by Samuel was convinced that this great looking young man should become the next king, but God said, “Do not look at the appearance or 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.”
The Bible tells us of another young man, he was good looking and had a keen mind. Among Christ’s disciples, he was considered the treasurer. He was considered a natural leader with great promise. Jesus accepted him into fellowship with himself and the rest of the disciples. Yet Jesus could look into Judas heart and knew that Judas would eventually betray him.
Still God afforded Judas every opportunity for his heart to change, to come into harmony with the heart of Jesus. Samuel was told to reject seven of the eight sons of Jesse, yet Christ allowed Judas to continue in fellowship with Him, hoping that the love of the Heavenly Father would enter the heart of Judas and change the direction of his heart.
For you see, Judas was conceited, worshiped power and hope to become next to Christ, when Jesus set up His earthly kingdom. What Judas failed to understand and many of us miss today is that Christ did not come 2000 years ago to set up an earthly kingdom, but to set up His kingdom in our heart. He longs to be one with us and commune with us, He wants to Tabernacle in (live in) our heart.
Although God can see the beginning and the end, He knew Judas would betray Him, He still strived with Judas to change his heart and He continues to strive with us today.
There is a picture of Jesus that is found in Revelation 3:20. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me.”
Christ, our crucified and resurrected Saviour stands at the door of our heart and knocks and calls out to us. Even on the night Judas betrayed him, Jesus continued to strive for the heart of Judas. Not to save Himself from dying on the cross, but to save Judas. This gives all of us the assurance that no matter who we are or what we have done or will do, we have worth in God’s eye. He will not rest until all have made the decision to open their heart to God or like Judas to forever shut hearts door. “To him who overcomes (self and our selfish desires) I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame (showed the world the other centered, unselfish, selfless love of the Father) and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:21.
He is calling, He is knocking, will you let Him in?
The Bible In Your Hand 