God’s Standards Are Higher Than Man’s Standards
Many people judge us on how we look. They criticize our physical looks, the way we walk, and the way we talk. We do not meet their standards for many different reasons. We are not good enough, do not have enough money, do not drive the right type of car, do not live in the right neighborhood, and the list can go on and on and on and on. I have had my share of rejections, and it can cause you to feel unworthy. You want to fit in but you do not meet the “right standards” to be accepted. You try hard to change to fit in, and it seems like the more you try, you sink deeper and deeper into the hole of rejection. It leaves you feeling hopeless and depressed.
I want to encourage you today to understand God has different standards than man. He does not think the same way man thinks. He does not look at us the same way the world looks at us. Man shows favoritism, God does not. God told the prophet Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
When God sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem to Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons as king, God knew which son would one day become king of Jerusalem. When Samuel saw Jesse’s first son Eliab, he thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” (I Samuel 16:6). God told Samuel Eliab was not the one and he had rejected him. Samuel looked at all of Jesse’s sons, and none of them met God’s standards. Samuel asked Jesse was there another son, and Jesse told Samuel the youngest son David was tending the sheep Samuel sent for David, and the Bible says, “’David was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.’” (I Samuel 16:12).
What did God see in David that He did not see in Jesse’s other sons? God looked beyond David’s physical, outer appearance. God was looking at David’s heart. David had a heart for God. Imagine, sitting there tending to the sheep is a boring job. There is no excitement. It was a bland job, and every now and then David, the shepherd, had to protect the flock from a wild animal. But David’s job as a shepherd was not boring to him. Why? Because he spent that time in the field communing with God. That was his time to grow closer to God, to get to know God on a more intimate level. It was quiet and there was no one to talk to but God.
Yes, David was the shepherd, but the shepherd boy knew Who the GREAT SHEPHERD was. It was because of those quiet times alone with God that David could face Goliath the Giant. It was during those quiet times that he was able to write the Psalms in praising God for His greatness, and also pouring out his heart to God when his life was in danger.
So, when the world does not consider you worthy of their standards, remember God does not think the same way man does. You must remember when you stand before God He is not going to be concerned about how much money you had in your bank account. He will not be impressed about the kind of car you drove, which neighborhood you lived in, where you purchased your clothes, how many awards/recognitions you received. He is only concerned about your heart, and did you have a heart for him like David. Don’t get caught up in the standards of the world. Keep your focus on the One who will have the final word and Whose thoughts are higher than man’s thoughts.