Given July 26, 2014 

I was walking through my house one morning a few years ago thinking about how Osama Bin Laden couldn’t be found our military couldn’t do anything with him.  I prayed, “God you know exactly where he is, why don’t YOU just take him out?” Immediately, in my spirit, I heard, “I love him and want him to repent and be saved.” This floored me but made me realize how God sees people differently than I do. This started me putting together thoughts about how we see people versus how God sees them. Think about it; how do you see old people, young people, poor/rich people, gay people, handicapped people? How do you see people of another race, city people,  country people, people in jail, lost people, church people, politicians, movie stars, athletes? Do you really see these people or are you just looking on the outside? “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).

In the story of David and Goliath, how did David’s brother see him when he came to bring their lunch on the battlefield? “But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” (1 Samuel 17:28).  How did King Saul see him? “You can’t go out against this Philistine and fight him. You’re only a boy.” (v. 33). How did Goliath see him? “he looked down on David with disgust. He said, “Do you think I am a dog that you come at me with a stick?“ (v. 42, 43).  How did God see him? “David ran quickly to meet him. He took a stone from his bag, put it into his sling, and slung it. The stone hit the Philistine and went deep into his forehead, and Goliath fell facedown on the ground.” (v. 48-49). God sees people differently than we do.

Think about it…when you see people this week like the ones mentioned in the first paragraph, look a little closer with your Spirit and think how God might see them. And, ask yourself, “How does God see me?”