For Your Eyes Only

Would you like to be great?

The phrase "a man after [God's] own heart" which refers to King David is a for every follower of Christ, but many people do not know the context in which this phrase was spoken. This phrase was first spoken by Prophet Samuel to King Saul, whom David later replaced: "Your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command." (1 Samuel 13:14)

What was Saul's problem that he would be rejected? Essentially Saul cared more about what people thought about him than what God thought about him. He craved for people's praise more than God's praise. He wanted to look great in people's eyes than in God's eyes. That was it. In the scenario that precedes the judgment just mentioned, Saul does not fully obey God's specific command to destroy the enemies. He reserves the best animals so that he can look generous to his generals, and he does not kill the enemy king because he wants to feel magnanimous. Generosity and magnanimity are wonderful characteristics, but not when God has specifically ordered the opposite. Saul was great in the eyes of people, and he wanted to keep his image. That was his downfall.

Even after the judgment, Saul tragically seeks people's praise. He asks Samuel, "Fine with the judgment, but right now, please come and acknowledge me before the people so that they would think greatly of me."

In the mean time, David is a nobody. He is a teenage boy who has no status, no recognition. His own father thinks little of him. But David loves God. While no one sees, he plays his hand harp, and makes songs to God--something a boy who cares about others' recognition would not do. People's praise counted nothing for him. And thus he was chosen.

We do so many things to look before others. Much of our pursuit--clothes, cars, house, jobs, or even spouses and kids--is about looking good to others. God calls all that abominable.

Care not for what other people think. That will be a shackle that binds you. Care for God's eyes only. You will be set free from so many things that holds you. You will be able to make significant differences eternally. You will be great truly, in His eyes.