Why No Human Being is Beyond God’s Love and Salvation

Daily Devotional – Thursday, January 20, 2022

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)

God has rejected Saul from being the king of Israel. The Lord commands Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of the sons of Jesse as king. Because God wants to teach Samuel and Israel an important lesson, He does not reveal the name of the special individual.

Jesse has eight sons. Each has to pass before Samuel for the prophet to choose the anointed one. Immediately Saul sees Eliab, he is convinced the strong handsome man in the right one. The prophet says to himself, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him!” (1 Samuel 16:6).

The Most Handsome Man in Israel

We cannot blame Samuel because he is benchmarking with the exiting king. Here is a description of King Saul: “There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.” (1 Samuel 9:2).

Well, Samuel is sincerely wrong. God takes the opportunity to deliver a powerful message. He tells 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.” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God Judges the Motives and Intentions of the Heart

Our humanity predisposes us to judge people by outside appearance. We favour the handsome and beautiful. We honour the rich and powerful. Our social, political and education systems give prominence to the educated and famous.

In contrast, our Creator judges the motives and intentions of the heart, which humans cannot see. Those who to us are unattractive and unworthy of attention, Jesus treats with immense love because they are His children and He has noble intentions for them.

Uneducated and Untrained Men

To the leaders of Israel, Christ’s disciples were “uneducated and untrained men.” (Acts 4:13). To Jesus, they were the foundation stones of His church. To them God had entrusted the immense and critical tasks of leading souls back to their Creator.

Zacchaeus and Matthew were hated tax collectors, despised by many of the Jews. To Jesus, Zacchaeus was a sinner in need of forgiveness and acceptance. Matthew was a soldier of the cross, a precious vessel for carrying the gospel to the ends of the world.

The Chief of Sinners

Saul was a hated persecutor among the early Christians. Upon his conversion, he became and object of hate among his former fellow extremists. To Jesus, this chief of sinners was “a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” (2 Timothy 1:11).

The high priest and his fellow priests were instrumental in the trial, persecution and crucifixion of Jesus. To the believers, the priests were enemies. To Jesus, these were future believers who would influence many people to become Christians as this verse shows:

“Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7).

Trust He Who Looks at the Heart

There are many more examples in scripture and in society. What the world despises, God loves, accepts and honours. In our labours for Christ, we must remember that no human being is beyond salvation as long as they turn to God in repentance.

In the same vein, when other people judge you wrongly because of you current negative or unwelcome appearance or situation, do not worry. Trust He Who looks at the heart and not outward appearances. In due course, God will vindicate and elevate you.  

Eternal Father, thank You because You look at the heart and not outward appearance. Teach me to value every human being as your precious child.