The Lord Looks At The Heart

For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart - 1 Samuel 16:7. 

             Samuel was impressed by the physical appearance of Eliab and thought that he is the Lord's anointed but God refused him. So it was, when they came, that he 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” - 1 Samuel 16:6,7.

              Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. God does not look at the way we look at and He does not think the way we think. "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 your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts - Isaiah 55:8-9. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them - Matthew 7:19, 20.

                Let us bear fruit and focus more on our heart to be pure as God looks at our heart and not our outward appearance. Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God - 1 Peter 3:3-4. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised - Proverbs 31:30. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day - 2 Corinthians 4:16.  

                                                      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let our heart be always clean of what You are looking for as You look at our heart and not the outward appearance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.