God said it to Samuel as he looked among Jesse’s boys for Israel's next king:

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

Those words were written for misfits and outcasts. God uses them all.

Moses ran from justice, but God used him.

Jonah ran from God, but God used him.

Rahab ran a brothel.

Sarah ran out of hope.

Lot ran with the wrong crowd.

But God used them all.

And David? While human eyes saw a gangly teenager, smelling like sheep, the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one!” (1 Samuel 16:12).

God saw what no one else saw — a God-seeking heart. David took after God’s heart, because he stayed after God’s heart. In the end, that is all God wants or needs.

Others measure your waist size or wallet. Not God. He examines hearts. When he finds one set on Him, He calls it and claims it.

...David, a man about whom God said, "I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do" (Acts 13:22).

God saw what no one else saw!

 From Facing Your Giants. Used by permission.