Stature That Matters!

When Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel, there was something about his stature that was noted. We read. . .

"(23) Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was TALLER THAN ANY OF THE PEOPLE FROM HIS SHOULDERS UPWARD. (24) And Samuel said to all the people, 'DO YOU SEE HIM WHOM THE LORD HAS CHOSEN? There IS NONE LIKE HIM AMONG ALL THE PEOPLE.' And all the people shouted, 'Long live the king!'" ( 1 Samuel 10:23-24 ESV)

He stood out! Saul stood tall! He was head and shoulders above the rest of the people of Israel. It was a stature everyone could see. Sadly it did not take long for Saul to fall; following his own presumptuousness rather than God.

After being rejected by God due to Saul's unfaithfulness ( 1 Samuel 15:23 & 26), Samuel was sent to the household of Jesse. When Samuel saw Eliab -- the oldest of Jesse's sons -- he just knew this had to be the one. ( 1 Samuel 16:6) However, it was actually the youngest ( 1 Samuel 16:11) God had in mind. This time is was not the one who stood out, but rather the one who had to be gone out after and brought in.

From tall Saul to a young shepherd boy. A contrast between one who stood out in a crowd with one who stood out with the flocks. Perhaps David was the shortest of all his brothers. Standing Saul and David together, who would we have picked?

The key to stature in God's eyes is noted where God told Samuel. . .
"(7) But the LORD said to Samuel, 'DO NOT LOOK ON HIS APPEARANCE OR ON THE HEIGHT OF HIS STATURE, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but THE LORD LOOKS ON THE HEART.'" ( 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV)

While man gets out his tape measure and sizes up the height or muscles of a man, God puts His measure around THE HEART. Though Saul had stood tall among others, how sad he did not continue STANDING TALL SPIRITUALLY! David was the one described by God as "a man AFTER HIS OWN HEART." ( 1 Samuel 13:14) God moved him from shepherding sheep to shepherding a nation. ( 2 Samuel 5:2)

It matters not whether we be short or tall, small or large, muscular or frail, etc. It is the stature of the HEART -- the submissive CHARACTER of one to the Will of God -- by which God measures a life. Is that where we are seeking to stand tall? May we accept His help in developing and maintaining a SPIRITUAL STATURE modeled after GOD'S OWN HEART!

Have a great day STANDING TALL FROM THE INSIDE OUT!
Carl

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