1 Samuel 16:7 - The LORD does not look at the things man looks at...

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

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.

God gave Samuel a new perspective. In these verses, God tells Samuel to pick a young David to be the future king, not one of David's seven older and arguably more qualified brothers.

While man often judges on outward appearance, God searches the heart.

Jeremiah 17:10 - I the LORD search the heart

I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

God rewards or punishes ultimately according to the condition of our hearts.

A heart which has faith in Him, submits to His will, obeys His Word, and serves Him, is a heart which actually doesn't get what it deserves -- eternal punishment.

Our most important commandment is to love God with our whole heart (Matt. 22:37). With this heart a person believes in Christ and so experiences both love from God and the presence of Christ in the heart (Rom. 5:5; 10:9-10; Eph. 3:17)..