The quote used for the title of this piece is found in 1 Samuel 16:6-12. In this passage one will find the story of David's anointing to be King of Israel. God has rejected Saul because of unfaithfulness and disobedience. He has found in David a man after His own heart. Samuel only knows that the king is to be a son of Jesse, but he does not know which one. He assumes that God will choose a tall handsome man, one similar to Saul. It is at this point that God tells Samuel that he should not look at the outward appearance but on the man's character, his heart.

God sees man's value differently than man sees his fellows' value. Just as Samuel valued Eliab because of his physical appearance and stature so do men judge others. How many of us would pass the test if God judged our value as man judges? God sees man as a person. He sees him as a created masterpiece with an immortal soul. This soul is so valuable that He gave His only begotten Son to save it (John 3:16).

Darwinism's "survival of the fittest" has conditioned our society to see man as only an accidental in the process of evolution. The evolutionist has rejected all forms of supernaturalism; therefore there can be no immortal soul within man. He is simply a collection of atoms and molecules. Be thankful that God values us beyond the fair market value of our bio-chemical components.

God also sees man's ability differently. Paul said in Phil. 4:13 that he could "do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Jesus encourages His disciples to pray in faith and not doubt (Matt. 21:21-22). Too often Christians have the attitude of "I can't" or "we can't" when it comes to doing the Lord's work. Too often they are intimidated by the seeming insurmountable odds. Have we forgotten that Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth? Have we forgotten that we serve a God who created and controls the universe? Let us echo the words of Paul, "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Finally, God often does not see the salvation of man as man sees his salvation. Man is tempted to seek his salvation through works of merit. It is difficult for us to understand and comprehend the unconditional love of God and His grace. Paul makes it crystal clear to us in Romans 4 that man cannot even begin to earn his salvation through works of merit. There are not enough good things in this world for us to do to put us into God into our debt.

We must learn to look at ourselves and our fellows as God looks at us. He sees us as valuable. He enables us and saves us when we obey in faith.