Appearances could be deceptive

God's way of appraising those people who are fit to work in his vineyard is not based on the standards of men. It is based purely on the grace and election of God. Anyone who seeks to work for God by appealing to men's standards and desires would not accomplish anything meaningful for God.

....I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 1 Sam 16:1
And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.1 Sam 16:6-7

We humans always tend to be more fascinated by outer appearances (e.g is he eloquent, good looking, good mannered) than by inner reality (the true condition of the heart) as is illustrated in the verses above:

Eliab was so attractive to the eye that even Samuel a proven Prophet of God and a man after God's heart 'exclaimed' surely (without a doubt) this is Him.

God did not agree with that assessment. He didn't see things the way Samuel saw them. He was more interested in Eliab's heart than he was in his looks because He always seeks people who have a good and honest heart to do His work.

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.Luke 8:15

David was the youngest of his brethren. He was not even considered by Jesse to pass before Samuel probably because he was considered the least qualified candidate to be the King of Israel. Infact, he wasn't even at home when his brothers passed before Samuel. He was busy keeping sheep in the wilderness.

There are very important lessons to learn from all this: It doesn't matter how many years you have been a professing Christian for. God is more interested in your heart condition than in how many years you have been professing to be a Christian or reading the Bible: There are some people who have spent less than a year in the Lord who have a better heart condition than many of those who have been professing to be Christians for over 20 years.

It doesn't matter how many fellow Christians vouch for you. If you have not given God a place in your heart it will take you nowhere. Most of the time, constant approval from men is a sign of spiritual decay and stagnation.

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.Luke 16:15.

Separation

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.Luke 6:22

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.2 Tim 4:16

David was separated from His brethren: It doesn't matter whether men separate you from their company. People who live godly lives are always repulsive to the world and their exclusion from the mainstream is a sign that God is on their side.

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.And he sent, and brought him in...1 Sam 16:11-12

Note that Jesse had to send for the David that he didn't to consider to be a candidate to become King.The only way to be restored to the truth is to embrace the Davids that we have rejected and separated ourselves from.As long as we keep insisting on the Eliab's (superficial teachings, false Prophets, things that appeal to our eyes), we would remain in bondage and deception.

If Jesse had lied to Samuel that he only had 7 sons, Samuel might have been obliged to go with Eliab instead of the man appointed by God and this would have spoilt God's plan for Israel and would have left her at the mercy of her enemies.

If you are living a life in accordance with God's will and you feel you are not getting any attention or given any compliments by men, take heart from this message. Even if the whole world rejects you and your message, know that the Lord is smiling down on you and all your efforts are not in vain.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.1 Cor 15:58

If you are willing to serve the Lord, you do not need to enroll in a seminary in order to be considered a candidate neither do you need to become a monk, become the choir master or be elected a deacon in your local assembly.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.1 Cor 6:17

God did not call Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel and His other Prophets from the Seminary. He called them from the respective idolatrous civilizations (and influences) that they lived in and He didn't choose them because they appeared to be perfect in the sight of men.

He chose them because of the genuineness of their hearts and because of their willingness to accept their sinful condition and their earnest desire to allow Him to change them by submitting totally to Him.

Always allow God to mold, renew and rule your life instead of trying to appeal to the standards of men and you would be fine.