Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else. – 1 Samuel 9:2 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.” – 1 Samuel 16:7 The people of Israel approached their aging prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel chapter 8, demanding that he select a king for them so they could be like all the other nations around them. (Keep in mind all the nations around them were pagan). What happens next is classic. God says yes. And He selects for them the kind of king that is everything they could want: tall, handsome, wealthy, etc. His name is Saul. The scripture tells us all of the things Saul IS. But most noteworthy is what we don’t see on his list of credentials. He IS NOT a man who is close to God. He doesn’t have a heart or love for God. His exterior is near perfect. But his interior is flawed. In the absence of God a human heart can fill up with a lot of things that aren’t good. In Saul’s case, it’s fear, insecurity, a hunger for power, pride, etc. Tomorrow is Father’s Day. And truly, I cannot think of a better passage of scripture to preach on than 1 Samuel 9 on Father’s Day. Why? Because Dads are under a lot of pressure to “look and act the part.” Provide, be present, fix everything, be fit, be understanding, be kind, don’t get angry…. On and on. But what God asks of us isn’t to “look the part.” He calls us to “tend the heart.” Men and Dads out there, please listen. If we prioritize our walk with Christ, all the other stuff will come together. Take care of what’s going on INSIDE of you. Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
