“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)
Man notices externals. But God doesn’t see like man sees, He takes note of what’s inside. To Satan, He says: “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” (Job 1:8) The Lord didn’t comment on Job’s beauty or riches, what caught His eye was Job’s heart of devotion to Him. Likewise with David. David was a handsome young man, but that is not why God chose and anointed him. He searched for a man after His own heart. (1 Sam. 13:14) God saw something in David that He didn’t see in his brothers. His eyes looked beneath the surface.
What is hidden to men’s eyes is plain to God. He not only sees what men cannot, but He finds great value where men do not. What is of great worth to God? “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1 Peter 3:3,4)
Of Jesus we read: “… He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isa. 53:2) But this Man who was meek and lowly of heart heard a voice from heaven: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17) All the despising and rejection Jesus received from men was more than made up by the Father’s approval and acceptance.
When people are not looking your way, or only noticing you to criticize, remember: there is One who sees differently than they do. Live to gain heaven’s notice. Focus on what He is focused on.