1 Samuel 16:4-12

“4.Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5.Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6.When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
7.But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8.Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
9.Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.”
10.Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
11.So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12.So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.””

From this passage, we learn an important lesson: when God chooses a person, He looks at the heart, not the outward appearance. Initially, Samuel thought Eliab was the Lord's anointed based on his appearance, but God chose David instead. David was the youngest, tending sheep, but God saw his heart.

The fact that God looks at the heart means that He values our inner self, our sincerity, faith, and character, rather than our outward appearance or worldly standards. While we may judge people by their appearance, God sees our hearts.

We need to renew our hearts before God. Through the grace of Jesus' blood, we must cleanse our inner selves and live according to God's word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When our hearts are humble and pure before God, He will guide and bless our lives.

Prayer: Loving God, through today's word, renew our hearts. Let our hearts be pure and sincere before You, not judged by outward appearances or worldly standards. Renew our inner selves through the grace of Jesus' blood and let us live according to Your word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)