The Résumé of Your Heart

The View From Above: Thoughts to Help With Everyday Life

July 15, 2026

Pastor Paul Stephens

The Résumé of Your Heart

God is looking for just the right man to be the next king after rejecting Saul.

Who does He look for?

What are his qualifications?

Based on his experience up to this point in life, what does the future king of Israel’s résumé look like?

What should it look like?

What will qualify him?

Well, it’s not what you might think, because God has one primary criterion:

The quality and condition of his heart.

That is what will position him to take on this vital and important role.

If God finds a man with a right heart, all the rest will take care of itself.

So who does God anoint for this task?

A very young shepherd boy—the least in his father’s house.

Scripture Focus

1 Samuel 16:6-7

“So it was, when they came, that Samuel looked at Eliab and said, ‘Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him!’ But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’”

The prophet Samuel went to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his eight sons to be the next king of Israel.

All the experienced, talented, and seemingly more qualified sons were passed over.

It was David who was anointed.

There is a lesson here for all of us to consider.

It’s not how good your résumé looks.

It’s how good your heart looks to God.

That is what He sees.

That is what He evaluates.

And it is out of a good and right heart that God can promote you to ever greater heights.

Maybe not to be a king, but there are plenty of other good things that God has for your life that will come to pass as you faithfully manage the condition of your heart.

Are your attitudes right?

Are you harboring anything in your heart that is not of God and does not reflect His virtue?

All of your thoughts matter very much.

Are you judging and rejecting those thoughts that do not belong in the mind of a child of God?

There is a lot to ponder and consider here.

Today’s Challenge

Take time today to examine the résumé of your heart.

Ask God to reveal any attitude, thought, or motive that does not reflect His character.

Remember, God is not impressed by outward appearance or earthly qualifications.

He is looking at your heart.

Make sure the résumé of your heart is right with God.