But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7, LSB
As children, many of us remember the feeling that would come upon us when teams were picked. If you weren’t known as a great athlete or were not a friend of the person, then it was not often a great experience. We judge most often from the outside. David was not the first pick of Samuel nor of his father; he was forgotten out in the field and had to be called in. David didn’t always act and live in a way that we would find to be a great witness of faith, but his heart was always seeking to be right with God in the end. He was quick to repent and often would be found in prayer. God doesn’t look only at our outward expression, but He seeks to be the first place we go for guidance. He desires our prayers, not just in times of need, but He seeks that we pray first, pray last: pray always. Prayer is to be at the center of our lives as we seek guidance and seek to live out our faith in our lives. In life, seek after God’s own heart so that we may reflect His glory out into the world.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.