The Look
1 Samuel 16:7 KJV But the LORD said unto 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.
I think it’s rather interesting that once Samuel did get to him, David was also described as an attractive young man. So it doesn’t necessarily mean there will be an unattractive outward appearance just because the heart looks good to God. In fact, the more comely the countenance of the heart, there will be a direct affect upon the outward appearance.
There is, though, an impression of our appearance that directly affects our qualifications in the kingdom, and while it would be easily and correctly assumed that God’s impression of that appearance is most important, there is someone else who is also essential in the casting of this inward look– each one of us. Before it will ever be possible to stand in the office of the anointing God has placed on our lives, there will have to be an adjustment of just how we look at ourselves. Though we might not feel too confident in the way God is looking at us, much assurance can be received that He is actually thinking and seeing incredible beauty and potential greatness in the creation He has formed and those to whom He is continuing to apply His masterly touch. In fact, if it were only fully known just how highly He looks upon us and how greatly He admires what He sees, there would be a large expansion of boldness and self-confidence in approaching His throne where grace is found.
A proud look is assuredly one that God detests completely (Proverbs 16:16-17), but any advance into the secret place will still require an inward glance that produces a sense of assurance, and this assurance will need to be developed and nurtured by the very words God has used to describe His impression of us. For every aspect of our life that is in need of a makeover, there is a place of promise in Christ that will transform our less than presentable image to that of His. In our driven quest for the fulfilled life of unwavering worship there will be no progress beyond our ability to acquire ‘the look’, where we confidently see ourselves as our Father does, totally complete and wonderfully attractive in Christ.
