Seen As God Intends - September 21, 2025

Scripture:

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - I Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Devotional:

When Samuel went to anoint the next king, he was ready to choose Eliab, who looked the part. But God corrected him: “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” That moment reminds us that our job isn’t to polish our image for others, it’s to remain true to who God created us to be.

The right people, those appointed by God to walk with you, will recognize the anointing on your life. They may not understand every detail of your story, but they will honor the grace you carry. On the other hand, the wrong people, the “wolves in sheep’s clothing”, will never see you rightly because their vision is clouded. And that’s okay. Their blindness to who you are is part of God’s protection.

When you stop managing perception, you start walking in freedom. You no longer live bound to opinions. You no longer strive to prove yourself. You simply live in obedience to God, and trust Him to reveal your heart to those who need to see it.

Reflection/Challenge:

Ask yourself today: Am I living for God’s approval or people’s perception? Release the weight of proving yourself. Declare, “The right people will see me as God intends, and the wrong people never will, and that’s protection, not rejection.”

Prayer:
Father God, in the Name of Jesus,
Thank You for another day. Thank You for waking me up this morning, starting me on my way, clothing me in my right mind, and allowing me to see the dawn of a brand new day.

Lord, I ask You to forgive me for all my sins and shortcomings, and I receive Your forgiveness in my heart. Create in me, O Lord, a clean heart. Purify my thoughts, and cast down every vain imagination and every high thing that tries to exalt itself against the knowledge of You, O God.

Lord, free me from the trap of people-pleasing. Teach me to rest in the truth that You see my heart, and that’s enough. Surround me with those who recognize Your work in me, and protect me from those who cannot. Help me to stop striving to manage perception and start living fully in the purpose You designed. In Jesus Name I Pray, Thank God, Amen.