The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. I Samuel 16:7 NIV
Saul became king of Israel following a turbulent period of history. Before him, the country was ruled by a series of judges, some who were good, and others who were not. The elders went to Samuel, the prophet, and asked him to give them a king, like the other nations.
Look on Your Own Heart
Israel was a theocracy surrounded by pagan societies. By demanding a king, they rejected God as their supreme ruler. Because they weren’t following God, He agreed to their demands. Think about it. When a parent gives a disobedient child their way, it’s often to let them suffer the consequences of their actions. The state of our own heart determines the leader God chooses to place over us.
Saul appeared to be a perfect choice. At thirty years old, he stood a head taller than other men and was the most handsome man in Israel. He looked like a king. The problem was that Saul was arrogant and conceited. Samuel told him not to begin the battle at Gilgal until he made the offering. When Samuel failed to arrive on time, Saul made the offering himself. That was the beginning of the end. Samuel prophesied that the Lord had sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him king because Saul disobeyed the Lord’s command. 
Our country is possibly at its most divided point in history, barring the Civil War. Our leaders, even those who claimed to be Christians, have let us down repeatedly. What we need is a man after God’s own heart.
Look on Our Own Priorities
The only way to recognize a leader with a heart like God is to be a people submitted to God. After God rejected Saul, He sent Samuel to Bethlehem to make a sacrifice and told him to invite Jesse. When Samuel saw Jesse’s sons, he thought each of them might be the potential king. However, God told him, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
It wasn’t that David didn’t have good qualities for a king, but he was young, and his only experience was tending his father’s sheep. He went on to become Israel’s greatest king. Despite his many failures, David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Although he became an adulterer and murderer, his heart comes through in his Psalms.
David had a heart for God, and though he sinned, he always returned to God. When we look at potential leaders, we have few to choose from, and we often wonder if the selection we have are the best America has to offer. We must look on our own priorities as a nation.
Seek the Heart of God
We must pray constantly for godly men and women to serve as our leaders. It’s important to make certain that those we vote for espouse ideas compatible with God’s commands. Is the legislation they support compatible with the Word of God.
It’s also important to remember that God uses ungodly people to accomplish His purposes in the world. Though we may not understand why God allows what He does, we must trust His hand. Often, when a leader goes against godly moral standards, we fall to our knees in prayer more often. We seek God’s will and way more fervently. He has promised to never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
As we see the rapid changes in our world, the unashamed rejection of anything that has to do with God, we must not despair. Our God is in control. Are our hearts in tune with Him?
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1
Photographs:
Image by ???? Mabel Amber, who will one day from Pixabay
Image by cocoparisienne from Pixabay
Image by Giani Pralea from Pixabay
