Thursday, August 19, 2010

"Point Of View"

"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." 1 Samuel 16:7

I woke up again this morning, as I do most mornings, with a song on my heart- this one verse in particular. "Wonderful, merciful Savior. Precious Redeemer and Friend. Who would have thought that a Lamb could rescue the souls of men. Oh, you, rescue the souls of men."

"Who would have thought that a Lamb could rescue the souls of men." Jesus was called the "lamb" of God that takes away the sins of the world. He wasn't referred to as some other "majestic" animal that was used in the sacrificial process. He wasn't the "lion" (the king of the jungle), or a great "stallion", or even the big, strong "elephant" when He was placed upon the sacrificial altar- the cross. No, it was just a "lamb"- a small, seemingly insignificant animal who has to be led. This is just further proof that God picks and chooses what, and who, He will use to fulfill His purposes. And often what He chooses is that which is weak and foolish. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are." (1 Cor. 1:26-28)

Just look throughout the Bible at the things and people that God chose to carry out His plans in the earth. They weren't always the biggest and the best. They weren't always the most educated, the most beautiful, the most talented, the most appealing, the most desirable, the smartest, the most fearless, the most pleasing, on the contrary, they were usually quiet the opposite- at least from the natural appearance.

In appearance Jesus was the "sacrificial lamb", but behind the appearance of the "lamb", the one fulfilling the plan of salvation for all mankind was actually the Son of God. Gideon was a coward in appearance, but behind that appearance was a "mighty man of valor". David appeared to be nothing more than a shepherd boy, but instead he was a "king". God chooses, from our point of view, the things that appear weak and foolish so that no flesh can glory in His presence. But from His point of view He has chosen that which will bring Him most glory.

Have a great day. What we see on the outside looks weak and foolish by our standards, but God takes that which appears weak and foolish and uses them for His glory because He sees not after the appearance.

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 1:29
Judges 6:11,12

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