Outward Appearance
Good morning Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Praise song: O Lift Your Countenance Meditation: The English idiom 'Never Judge a Book by Its Cover' implies that one should not make a final judgment on anything based only on outward appearance. The passage from scripture illustrates the principle of not judging by outward appearances. The prophet Samuel initially assessed seven of Jesse's sons based on their strong, kingly physical presence. However, the Lord revealed to Samuel that the qualities God values are internal matters of the heart and character, rather than external physical traits or appearances. The Lord looks at the heart and not the outward physique. Following the Lord's command, Samuel sent for David, who was out in the field tending to the flock, anointed him with oil, and appointed him King of Israel. Look not upon another man's countenance because Christ's redeeming love and divine sacrifice are exten...