The Outward Appearance

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV says, “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.’”

This morning I am thinking about the way we worship. In one way or another, it is easy to emphasize the outward appearance of our worship. For some, the “outward appearance” is cool outfits, great-sounding music, and beautiful displays. For others, it is a rigid format of worship that depends on structure and traditions.

It is not sinful to put on a fantastic show, nor is it wrong to have clearly defined structures to worship. Still, anything can become an idol. As soon as the emphasis is taken off of our hearts, namely the holiness of God’s people, and placed on anything else, we are at risk of idolatry.

That’s why the song “Make Room” has become so important for many churches. The bridge says, “Shake up the ground of all my tradition / Break down the walls of all my religion / Your way is better /Your way is better.” While traditions and religious practices help build our faith, these things often become idols that harden our hearts from truly knowing God. In a way, this song is a prophetic war chant for God’s people to return to their first love.

I’m trying not to press anyone’s buttons in suggesting any approach to worship is inherently idolatrous. In my experience, a well-intended practice of worship often corrodes over time as seasons pass and generations change. Sometimes we fail to pass on the significant meaning of a particular practice. Sometimes we get caught up in various deceptive schemes that shut down freedom in worship.

That is why 1 Samual 16:7 is such a powerful reminder today. I love how the words of truth cut through the confusion and cast light on the shadows. While searching for the next king, God speaks to the prophet Samuel. He was looking for an image of a king. Someone the people could envision as their leader. Perhaps handsome, strong, and respected. God was looking for a holy and pure heart.

If even the great prophet Samuel (who heard God’s voice calling three times in the temple) needed to be reminded of what matters to God, we surely could humbly respond to this invitation.

For some, an honest response would be to do a heart check and remember the why behind the what. For others, a real answer might be more like the song Make Room. It might be cause for tearing down the idols we’ve unwittingly set up. We might be called to a modern-day ministry of Josiah, toppling everyone monument that doesn't stand for God.

In the pursuit of God-honoring worship, we do well to remember that God is not looking at the appearance of our stage or the quality of our performance. He is looking at the purity of the heart.