God's Choice: Heart Over Appearance in Leadership

Devotional

Day 1: God Looks at the Heart, Not the Outward Appearance

God does not choose people based on their outward strength, appearance, or status, but rather on the condition of their hearts. Even when others may overlook or underestimate you, God sees your true value and potential, calling you to serve Him in ways you may not expect. Trust that God’s perspective is deeper and more loving than human judgment, and be encouraged that He delights in using those who seem unlikely in the eyes of the world. [15:02]

1 Samuel 16:6-7 (ESV)
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel overlooked or inadequate, and how might God be inviting you to trust His view of your heart over the opinions of others?

Day 2: God Chooses the Unlikely to Fulfill His Purposes

Throughout Scripture, God often selects those who feel weak, unqualified, or unworthy to accomplish His plans, reminding us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Like David, Moses, and others, you may feel unfit for the task ahead, but God’s calling is not based on your qualifications—it is based on His purpose and power working through you. Embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for God to display His glory and trust that He can use you just as you are. [17:57]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV)
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

Reflection: What is one weakness or insecurity you have that you can surrender to God today, trusting Him to use it for His glory?

Day 3: Listening to God’s Voice Over Our Own Feelings

It is easy to be swayed by our own desires, logic, or emotions, but God calls us to listen carefully to His voice, even when it contradicts our expectations or feelings. There are times when God’s direction may not make sense to us, yet obedience to His leading brings about His perfect will. Practice tuning your heart to God’s guidance, especially when it challenges your assumptions or personal preferences. [13:25]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: When was the last time you sensed God leading you in a direction that felt uncomfortable or unexpected, and how did you respond?

Day 4: God Has a Unique Plan for Each Person

God’s plans are not hindered by human limitations, opposition, or circumstances; He has a specific purpose for every individual, and no one can thwart what He has ordained. Even when others may try to stand in the way, God’s calling and anointing remain secure, and He will accomplish His will through those He chooses. Rest in the assurance that God’s plan for your life is intentional and cannot be stopped by any obstacle. [16:02]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Reflection: What is one area where you have doubted God’s plan for your life, and how can you renew your trust in His purpose today?

Day 5: Serving and Reaching Others with God’s Heart

God calls His people not only to serve within the church but also to reach out to those who are outside, seeing them with His eyes of love and compassion. The mission field is often closer than we think, and God desires that we approach others—no matter their background or setting—with the same grace and openness that Jesus showed. Ask God to give you a heart that sees beyond appearances and to lead you in practical ways to serve and share His love with those around you. [24:23]

Matthew 9:36-38 (ESV)
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Reflection: Who is one person or group in your community that you can intentionally reach out to this week with the love and compassion of Christ?

Sermon Summary

In the story of David’s anointing, God’s people gathered not just to fulfill a religious duty, but to worship, pray, and seek God’s voice. Their hearts were open, longing for God’s direction, even as they struggled with their own expectations. When Samuel arrived to anoint a new king, everyone—including Samuel himself—looked for outward signs of strength and leadership. Yet God’s choice was not the obvious one. David, the youngest and least impressive by human standards, was chosen because of his heart, not his appearance or status.

This narrative reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. While people are drawn to what is visible—strength, experience, charisma—God looks deeper, searching for hearts that are humble, willing, and open to His leading. David’s story is a powerful example of how God often calls those who feel inadequate or overlooked. Throughout Scripture, God consistently chooses unlikely people—Moses, who doubted his own abilities; others who felt unworthy or unprepared. God’s call is not based on our qualifications, but on His purpose and our willingness to respond.

We are challenged to see ourselves and others as God does. Instead of judging by outward measures, we are called to recognize the value and potential God sees in every person. This perspective should shape how we serve, lead, and reach out to those around us. God’s mission is not limited to the “qualified” or the “strongest,” but is open to anyone with a willing heart. Even in our own community, we are called to step out, to bring the message of Christ to unexpected places and people, trusting that God will use us regardless of our background or experience.

Ultimately, the invitation is to surrender our own expectations and insecurities, and to trust that God’s plan is bigger than what we can see. When God calls, He equips. Our role is to be available, to listen, and to respond with faith, knowing that God delights in using the humble and the willing to accomplish His purposes.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s selection is based on the heart, not outward appearance or human qualifications. While people may be impressed by strength, experience, or charisma, God values humility, sincerity, and a willingness to serve. This challenges us to examine our own hearts and to value others as God does, beyond what is visible. [15:02]
2. Often, God’s call comes to those who feel least prepared or worthy. Throughout Scripture, those chosen by God—like Moses and David—were acutely aware of their weaknesses. Yet God delights in using the unlikely, reminding us that our sense of inadequacy is not a barrier to His purpose, but often the very reason He chooses us. [17:57]
3. Obedience to God sometimes means going against our own feelings, logic, or expectations. Samuel was tempted to rely on his own judgment, but God’s voice redirected him. We must learn to listen for God’s leading, even when it contradicts our assumptions or desires, trusting that His wisdom surpasses our own. [13:44]
4. God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human opposition or circumstance. Even when others may overlook or oppose us, God’s purpose will prevail. When God has chosen and anointed, no obstacle—whether from people or situations—can stand in the way of His will. [16:02]
5. The mission field is often closer than we think, and God calls us to step out in faith where we are. Whether it’s reaching out in unexpected places or seeing potential in unlikely people, we are invited to participate in God’s work, trusting that He equips those He calls. Our willingness to go, even when it feels unconventional, opens doors for God’s love to reach new hearts. [23:28]
** [23:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:25] - The Gathering: Worship and Expectation
[09:23] - Samuel’s Search for a King
[10:25] - David’s Unexpected Anointing
[11:46] - God’s Choice, Not Ours
[12:48] - Human Judgement vs. God’s Voice
[13:44] - Wrestling with Our Feelings
[14:23] - David’s Inadequacy and God’s Strength
[15:02] - God Looks at the Heart
[16:02] - God’s Plan Cannot Be Stopped
[17:21] - Our Weakness, God’s Opportunity
[20:14] - Called to Serve
[21:36] - Not Experience, But Heart
[22:56] - Mission in Unexpected Places
[23:28] - Reaching Out Where We Are
[24:41] - The Local Mission Field

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In 1 Samuel 16, what were Samuel and the people doing before the anointing of the new king? How does the passage describe their attitude and actions? ([08:25])
When Samuel saw Jesse’s sons, what qualities did he look for in a king? How did God correct Samuel’s thinking? ([12:48])
According to the sermon, what was unique about David compared to his brothers, and how did the people react to God’s choice? ([10:25])
In Exodus 3, how did Moses respond when God called him? What reasons did he give for feeling unqualified?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose David, the youngest and least likely, instead of his older, stronger brothers? What does this reveal about God’s priorities? ([15:02])
The sermon mentions that God often calls people who feel inadequate, like Moses and David. What might be the purpose behind God choosing those who feel unworthy or unprepared? ([17:57])
How does the story of Samuel’s search for a king challenge our own ways of evaluating people for leadership or service? ([12:48])
In what ways does God’s perspective on qualification differ from the world’s, according to 1 Corinthians 1:26–29?

Application Questions

The sermon says, “God’s selection is based on the heart, not outward appearance or human qualifications.” Are there people in your life or community whom you tend to overlook because they don’t fit your expectations? How might you begin to see them as God does? ([15:02])
Have you ever felt unqualified or inadequate for something you sensed God was calling you to do? What held you back, and what would it look like to trust God’s purpose over your own insecurities? ([17:57])
Samuel was tempted to rely on his own judgment, but God redirected him. Can you think of a time when your own logic or feelings conflicted with what you sensed God was leading you to do? How did you respond? ([13:44])
The sermon challenges us to step out in faith, even in unexpected places—like reaching out at the local brewery or grocery store. What is one “unexpected” place or group of people God might be nudging you to engage with? ([23:28])
In your current season, what would it look like to surrender your own expectations and trust that God’s plan is bigger than what you can see? Is there a specific area where you need to let go of control? ([24:23])
The story of David reminds us that God equips those He calls. Is there a step of faith you’ve been avoiding because you feel unprepared? What practical support or prayer do you need from this group to move forward? ([20:14])
How can our small group encourage each other to value humility and willingness to serve, rather than just experience or outward strength? What might change in our group if we truly lived this out? ([21:36])

Sermon Clips

God they are praising God and they are went to hear the voice of the Lord so it's not just a gathering and just men being passed before Sunday but there is a lot of worship a very great worship is great on so that the Lord will speak they are praying some of them are praying some of them are praised some of them are there telling interceding talking to God God give us a king. [00:08:44]

and I think Jesse and everyone who was there was amazed because the Bible tells us this boy was he was a small boy he was the last one in the family he did not have that physique and very strong looking but the Bible before David came and before the Holy Spirit spoke and said I'm not rights and anointing this is the one. [00:10:21]

and then he looks ashamed and he says then he must be the one and the Lord says no he is not the one is when the Lord is speaking and we are feeling that this is not the way to go God is saying I'm speaking to you clearly that this is the way to go and there you are fighting with your feelings but the Lord is saying no. [00:13:23]

if you continue reading about that story it's a very interesting story because it is even when this young boy was put the armor the uniform itself it would not even be able to work with those uh with that uniform and with all the ahma that the king needs to plural they do not even work until he could not be able to walk because it was earlier and very helpful. [00:14:15]

the Bible says God looks at the heart men or human beings look at the sick he is very strong he is tall strong handsome he is the one but the spirit of God says now he is more he is the last follower in this family he is just but a boy but here is the king here is the heart of the king. [00:14:57]

but look what God says because God and Planet God has a plan when God has a plan upon your life no one will come against not even so there are so many souls in this world and there is always a plan for God to each and everyone offered God is saying Samuel to anoint you to anoint you to be the king. [00:15:48]

the leadership of soul that God has said no not anymore my people will not continue suffering I am going to select I am going to choose a king for my people and no one else but David however he is what he is the last one there he looks weak he does not he is not a strong man but he is as strong man as harmful. [00:16:32]

we have so many people who are not as strong when they look at them they are facing with us not this cannot be described as one who is strong but God is looking for a person who is strong at heart and this is the president I want to remind you this morning that God looks at the hand. [00:17:01]

you don't have to be adequate you don't have to be strong you don't have to be the most educated you don't you don't have to be the most of the strongest person in this room this morning for the Lord to use God looks at the heart why whenever God is calling someone to to suffer in the Bible you will never fight anyone who is saying yes I am fit. [00:17:26]

everyone is saying or talking about the witness that he or she has before the Lord and the Lord says God says it is true I know you are not helped the case of Moses I know you are someone I know you you understand it is you that I want to say it is you that I want to say. [00:18:04]

that we have a chance to give other people a chance not to judge them by the receipt not the way you see them at the way they are their heart is not handsome he is not only is not strong but then he has a good heart it's a kind man yes yes he is very strong he is handsome he is tall he even Walks Like a king but then his heart is not over King. [00:19:01]

he is a beast but we are seeing a man we are seeing a person but God is seeing a beast and he is saying I am not going to give a chance to anyone like Saul to continue uh being the king president we are called to serve we are called to son God is looking at our mouth. [00:19:50]

God is ready to use anyone in this house in this room in this actually this one because he created him he knows you he knows you may say I am home I can't take this position in leadership I am all I am actually Young there are other people here who are older than me there are people who have been to In This better they charge for 40 years I already joined the last year. [00:20:44]

for the Lord is not looking at the experience the Lord is not looking at the law of the lover made by Nature he is looking at the heart and where the Lord says it is new it hasn't you sometimes whenever we are in leadership meet right we always say that we we don't have enough members but those who are there just bring wonderful job for the challenge. [00:21:36]

we are looking at our church and say hey we are we are a whole communication yes but the law is still looking at it it is not the strength it is not the experience last last time we were in a meeting and we were thinking of how we can go out there and evangelize and we we were discussing about the opportunities of Nations that are around us. [00:22:21]

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