Eliab or Elohim?

“The Lord does not see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

One of the most difficult lessons in following God is learning that what other people think about you cannot carry more weight than what God knows about you.

That sounds simple enough until you actually start living it.

Most of us would like to believe that if God calls us to something, everyone around us will immediately recognize it, celebrate it, and cheer us on. We imagine a supportive crowd, a standing ovation, and perhaps a banner that says, “Congratulations on your God-given assignment.”

Unfortunately, Scripture tells a different story.

When David arrived at the battlefield in 1 Samuel 17, he wasn’t greeted as a future king. He wasn’t even greeted as a respected soldier. He was greeted by his older brother, Eliab, who immediately questioned his motives and criticized his presence.

David showed up in obedience. Eliab saw arrogance. David came carrying food (for Eliab, mind you). Eliab accused him of seeking attention.

David was standing in the middle of God’s plan for his life, and one of the people closest to him completely misunderstood what was happening. That had to hurt.

We often read stories like David’s knowing how they end. We know he defeats Goliath. We know he becomes king. We know God’s hand was on his life.

David did not know any of that yet. In that moment, he was simply a young man trying to obey his father and God while someone else’s opinion attempted to define him.

I wonder how many callings have been abandoned because someone believed Eliab instead of God.

How many dreams have been buried because criticism sounded more convincing than obedience?

How many people have stepped back from what God was asking them to do because someone else questioned whether they were qualified?

The truth is that people can only see a fraction of the story. Our limited perspective causes us to question what we don’t understand, to criticize what we can’t control.

They see your experience—God sees your potential.

They see your current circumstances—God sees the purpose He has been developing for years.

They see the shepherd—God sees the king.

Sometimes the people around you will not understand your assignment because they were never given your instructions. That isn’t an insult to them. It’s simply reality.

God speaks to individuals throughout Scripture about things that make little sense to the people watching. Noah built an ark before there was rain. Abraham left home without knowing where he was going. Moses confronted Pharaoh despite every reason to believe he would fail. The pattern repeats again and again. Obedience often looks strange before it looks successful.

There is another difficult truth hidden in David’s story.

If you are going to follow God’s calling, you must accept that there will be people who believe they should be doing what God called you to do.

Some will think they are more qualified. Some will think they are more experienced. Some will think they would do it better. And if you’re honest, there will be moments when their arguments sound convincing.

Yet God’s calling has never been based solely on human qualifications.

If it were, David would have stayed with the sheep.

God does not call people because they are the obvious choice. He calls people because He is the One making the choice.

The question is not whether everyone else understands your assignment. The question is whether you trust the One who gave it.

David could have spent his day arguing with Eliab. Instead, he kept moving toward the giant.

There is so much wisdom in that.

Not every misunderstanding requires a defense. Not every criticism requires a response. Not every opinion deserves a seat at the table. Sometimes faithfulness looks less like proving yourself and more like continuing to walk in obedience.

The opinions of others may be loud. The doubts may be persistent. The criticism may be painful.

But none of those things change what God knows—He knows who He created you to be. He knows what He has called you to do. He knows the gifts He placed inside you. And He knows the path He prepared long before anyone else had an opinion about it.

When the voices around you become overwhelming, remember this: people form opinions based on what they can see.

God speaks from what He knows.

And what He knows about you is infinitely more trustworthy. Don’t allow what other people think about you to supersede what God knows about you.

Whose voice are you going to trust?
The voice of criticism, comparison, and misunderstanding? Or the voice of God? Eliab or Elohim?

bytaylormcgee