WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST?

When God was looking for a king to rule over His people Israel, what did He look for? He looked for a "man after his own heart" (1 Samuel 12:14). When Samuel the priest beheld each of the seven sons of Jesse, he was tempted to think that each one of them could be the new king of Israel, because of their height and good looks. But God rebuked 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).

Interestingly, David was not an ordinary looking young man. He was very handsome and had beautiful sparkling eyes (1 Samuel 16:12). In fact, there is more written about David's good looks than any other man in the Bible. But that's not what God was looking at. He was looking at the heart.

As parents, do we see things the same way God sees them? Sometimes we can get caught up with the outward appearance. How can I prepare my children to be great in this world? Where can they get the best education? We can spend a lot more time developing the intellects of our children and even their physical bodies (carting them around to their various sports). I'm not saying these things are unimportant, but we need to challenge ourselves as to whether we are spending as much time (and actually it should be a WHOLE LOT MORE time) in ministering to the hearts of our children.

Of course, we cannot change their hearts. It is only the power of the Holy Spirit working in them. But we can provide the tools for God to move by spending time in prayer for each of our children, daily filling them with the principles of God's Word, and seeking God's wisdom to adjust their heart attitudes. This should be our consuming passion.

When david was eventually brought from way out in the fields where he was tending the sheep, God said to Samuel, "Arise, anoint him, for THIS IS HE" (1 Samuel 16:12). This is the one. This is one who has a heart like my heart. This is the one I can use. This is the one I can trust to lead and care for my nation (Psalm 78:70-72).

Are we preparing children to fit into this world's system or are we preparing children who have hearts after God and hearts like God's heart? Will He be able to say of our children, "This is the one."?

Blessings from Nancy Campbell