This week week’s theme is “Don’t Judge by Appearance.”

Recently I sat with my family, parents, and in-laws on a large outdoor lawn, next to a beautiful library

and bell tower. We sat among a large gathering. Within that gathering was a special subset of people,

wearing matching robes indicating the end of a difficult but rewarding journey. They were graduating

from college.

Despite the setting, impressive speakers on the platform, a grumpy and uncooperative bulldog mascot

being carried around, and distinguished faculty nearby, the robed group in the front was the focus of the

crowd. They were who we came to see.

But our family’s focus was tighter still. Sure, we were happy for each graduate who walked across the

stage. Our spirits rose for those recognized for completing a program specifically for students with

special needs. We were especially excited for two young ladies who will forever have a special place in

our hearts, because they were the devoted roommates and friends of the real star of the show - our

daughter.

Of course, if you had polled the crowd regarding who was the star, every single graduate would have

received votes. But you know where I’m coming from when I say our daughter was the star of this show.

God tasked Samuel with seeking out and anointing a different kind of star – a future king of Israel. God

had narrowed the field to the sons of Jesse but didn’t tell Samuel which one. I don’t know why God

didn’t simply say He had chosen David from among the sons of Jesse, but He didn’t. Maybe God wanted

to teach Samuel, and us, an important lesson.

After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, The Lord hasn’t chosen any of these.

Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” (1 Samuel 16:10-11 HCSB)

Like us at graduation, Samuel had to watch a parade of minor characters until the real star arrived. Of

course, God loved all the sons of Jesse, but He had a specific focus in this particular decision.

…Then the Lord said, “Anoint him, for he is the one.” (1 Samuel 16:12 HCSB)

Do you ever feel overlooked when God blesses somebody else nearby? I would assume we all have at

some point. But He did not leave any of us out of His story:

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8

HCSB)

By Mark Stuart



Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob, and father-in-law of Bailey.