OCTOBER 16, 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7 

Because King Saul had disobeyed the Lord, the Lord rejected him. The Lord then sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new King in Saul’s place. Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse at Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next King. When Jesse and his sons stood before the prophet Samuel, the prophet looked upon one of Jesse’s sons called Eliab and said “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” Perhaps, the prophet was impressed with Eliab’s tall stature and Eliab was good-looking. Samuel thought that Eliab was fit to be the next king. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature, because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Later on, the Lord instructed Samuel to anoint David whom the Lord had chosen to be the next King, in place of Saul. David turned out to be a man after God’s own heart. David was obedient and faithful to the Lord. Although at times David fell into sin, he always repented and sought the Lord’s forgiveness.

While there is nothing wrong with being good-looking, or tall, or beautiful, we cannot judge people based on their external looks. But do we? What would your reaction be if a visitor who looks very different, joins the Junior Worship? Perhaps he could be from a different culture. Would you be kind to him and say “Hello!” because he is new, and try to make him feel at ease? Or would you shun him, or worse, tell others how funny he looks?

Do you think the Lord Jesus, as a child, would laugh cruelly at new kids who look different? God will only judge a person’s heart and not the person’s outward appearance. What is more important to God is whether the person has a heart that obeys God and is faithful to Him. Let us all learn not to judge a person based on his or her external appearance.

Thought: May I not judge others based on their looks.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, sometimes I fall into the sin of judging others by their appearance. Help me not to do that again, but to be a kind and humble child myself. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.