Morning Devotional

December  20, 2005
"Too Little"          
    by Don Emmitte

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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 make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at a person's thoughts and intentions." (1 Samuel 16:6-7 NLT).

Today's society, at least here in America, places tremendous emphasis on physical appearance—for both men and women. If, for example, two men of equal qualifications apply for the same job, the tallest man is most likely to be appointed. In our reading this morning Samuel had gone to choose the next king of Israel according to the Lord’s instruction. Ultimately this led to the anointing of David. He wasn’t even considered at first. However, God told Samuel that the choice would be made based on inward appearance, not outward appearance.

Carlos Romulo, a Foreign Secretary of the Philippines, is only 5'4". He was very self-conscious about his height until he visited Tussaud's Wax Museum in London and discovered that he was 2 inches taller than Napoleon Bonaparte, who became known as "the little corporal." He promptly discarded his elevated shoes. William Wilberforce was another small man. He was known for his eloquence and, in 1780 at the age of twenty-one, entered the British Parliament. Six years later he joined Thomas Clarkson and began his fight against slavery even though the bill to end the slave trade didn't become law until 1807—twenty-one years later. More than any other person, Wilberforce stopped the British slave trade.

Often in life many of the great achievements have been accomplished by those who have had a serious setback, a major limitation or handicap, or a significant failure of one kind or another, but have overcome their defect and risen above their circumstances to achieve the worthwhile goals they have set for themselves.

With God's help you and I can do the same. It's not our outward appearances that God looks on. He sees our heart and wants us to use the gifts we have been given—not the gifts that others have. Regardless of how you may think of your outward appearance, would you realize that God sees a different you. He sees the inward beauty that he has been developing. That may not be very apparent to you now, but as you ask for his direction and revelation, you will be able to see more and more of the plan God has for your life. Trust him for the fulfillment of that plan!