The In My Dorm Writing Space

— Written by Ticen Crawford

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:6-7

“When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, ‘Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!’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.”

This passage of scripture falls right in the prime of King Saul’s disobedience to God. As Saul turns away from God, God sends the prophet Samuel to anoint a successor to the throne in Saul’s place. In secrecy, Samuel arrives at the house of Jesse who is the father of many sons. Becoming aware of what Samuel has arrived for, Jesse brings forth his most prized possession: his eldest son, Eliab. 

Samuel sees Eliab, and as the text reads, Samuel immediately assumed that this was the son of Jesse whom God intended to sit on the throne of Israel. Based on Samuel’s quick assumption, we can attempt to read between the lines and gather our own assumption: Eliab was probably a great looking guy, likely very bright and confident, and undeniably stood out among the others. Being the oldest sibling in my family, I find it very easy to level with Samuel’s initial assumptions. 

However, God very quickly makes it known that Eliab is not the one to be anointed. God speaks in verse 7 declaring, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.” It’s not exactly specified why, but it is made clear that Eliab’s heart was not in the right place for kingship. 

When I think about what we as young adults struggle with in this day and age, the action of remaining tangled in the bondage of our old flesh, despite the sacrifice made on the cross, looms large. I find myself continuing to identify with my old ways rather than stripping them off as we’re called to do. I find myself doubting my ability to achieve something because of my former bondage, despite having been freed from it. 

Powerfully, God doesn’t do this. He doesn’t know us by what we were. He doesn’t know us by our mistakes of yesterday. Instead, God knows you by your heart. 

Eliab’s outward appearance looked bright, shiny, and perfectly fit for king. His inward appearance was shattered. Our outward appearance is broken, dirty and in need of fixing. But when we give our lives to the one who sacrificed it all, we don’t have to identify with the outside because God knows us on the inside. As a generation we are called to stop living in doubt because of who we were, and start living in confidence because of who we are in Christ. 

Prayer: 

“Father, I give this day to you. I ask that as you are in a never ending process to transform me that you would give me the courage to shed my old skin and start living by who you call me to be: one of your children. Give me the confidence to live boldly for you. You have broken my old bondage, so that I can be a vessel for you. You’ve given me new life so that I can be the light on the hill. Never stop revealing your glory to me father. In your son’s name I pray, Amen.”