Appearances

This morning as I was getting ready for work I opened a drawer in the bathroom vanity to get my makeup. As I looked in the drawer I saw my reflection in a small handheld mirror and I have to say it was less than flattering.

Gravity was in full force as I was leaning down and I was not quite fully awake. I thought, “Wow! There’s a lot of work that needs to be done.” After washing my face and applying wrinkle creams and make up, the reflection improved and I felt much better.

Then I sat down to read my bible study. Guess what the verse was? 1 Samuel 16:7, But the Lord said to Samuel, “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.” It made me smile and also reminded me to start the day with the right view.

I’ve read this verse many times; in fact, it’s one of my memory verses, so why don’t I apply it myself? Why do I worry about my outward appearance so much? In that verse, Samuel was looking at David’s older brothers who were taller and stronger than David. When each brother passed by, Samuel knew that the Lord had not chosen them. Finally David was brought to him, a young shepherd boy, a man after God’s own heart. Then the Lord said, “he is the one.” (1 Samuel 16:12)

As I was reading the commentary it was interesting to note that in the next chapter the details of Goliath’s appearance are explained in precise detail, right down to the weight of his armor. His outward appearance caused great fear among the Israelite army so much that they ran from him. (1 Samuel 17:24) Just after the Lord has said not to look at outward appearances, they did and it prevented them from trusting in God.

It was the same for Goliath. He judged David by his outward appearance, again only seeing a young shepherd boy and misjudged the power within. We all know how that turned out.

Just prior to his battle with Goliath, David was offered King Saul’s armor to wear. He put it on and walked around in it for a moment and then said, “I cannot go in these.” Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:39) David had to approach the challenge as himself.

He had mentally reduced Goliath to a beast – similar to the bear and lion that he had already defeated with God’s strength as he was shepherding his flock. He would now do it again because Goliath had defied the Lord and blasphemed against Him. This was faith in action. All those who witnessed the fight would see that it’s not by the sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s. (1 Samuel 17:47)

David’s story is about the awesome power of a life built around bold faith in the Lord. His trust was in God and not for a moment was he intimidated by the appearance of Goliath. He wasn’t trying to be something he wasn’t by wearing Saul’s armor, nor was he trying to do something he wasn’t called to do.

That mirror in my vanity has two mirrors. A regular mirror on one side and a magnified viewing mirror on the other. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a mirror that would give you an outward appearance view, but then show you the inward appearance too? That view would show you how God sees you. Beautifully and wonderfully made. A work of art. We would be able to see His power within us. That would be a view I would like to see each morning.

His word is that mirror. It reveals exactly how God feels about us and sees us. It describes in full detail the power within us and reminds us that we are designed exactly the way that God intended and He sees us as a masterpiece.

We just need to be ourselves. There can be no apples to apples comparison because we are each uniquely created, there is only one you, and there is only one me. So we can begin our day with confidence from the power within to go out there and be the best version of ourselves that we can possibly be.

One of my favorite memories is the first time that my granddaughter spent the night with us. She woke up with the wildest hairdo I have ever seen. She had sleep (we call them scoobies) in her eyes and the cutest smile on her face. She was beautiful. Just seeing her wake up and stretch made my heart smile. I imagine that God does the same when we wake up because that is when we are our genuine selves. Not made up or dressed up, just simply us.

We can start our day following David’s example. He took his staff, picked his five stones, grabbed his sling and was on his way to face the challenge of the day fueled with God’s Holy power within.

A staff could be used to assist in walking and navigating the rocky terrain. The stones were the ammunition that would be used against his enemy. The sling was how he was able to aim and fire the stones with precision. The power within was his guide and his confidence.

When we choose and invite Jesus into our day He is like the staff, something we can hold on to and that will help us navigate through the day.

The stones are the words of God. Solid truths that we can use against the attack of the enemy.

The sling is our voice, the way we can “throw out the word” with precision, applying it in any situation, revealing God’s truth against the enemies lies.

The power within is the Holy Spirit that give us guidance and confidence to be bold and step out in faith.

We each have our own Goliath’s that we face each day. Our choice is how we choose to see them. Will their appearance cause fear and make us run or will we look at the heart? When we see ourselves first thing in the morning will we choose to see the beautiful truth or will we listen to the taunts of the enemy that belittles our confidence?

Our first challenge of the day is looking in the mirror and seeing that beautiful, messy haired, daughter of the King and saying with confidence, “I am loved and cherished by the Creator of the Universe, my abba, Father and I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

My Prayer

Father, thank you for reminding me that I am exactly the way You created me to be, messy hair and all. Help us to see ourselves the way You see us and to face each day with the boldness that Your power within gives us. Thank you for your word that fills our “pouch” with truth that we can use throughout the day. Give us confidence to speak Your word with power and intention, knowing that they will hit the mark and make the enemy flee. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Psalm 139: 13-14

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.”

2 Timothy 1:7

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

James 4:7-8

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”