What God Sees When He Looks at the Heart

. . . for the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7b

We find the historical account of the Prophet Samuel as he searched for the king of Israel in chapter 16 of 1 Samuel. We read the account of Samuel as he stood before Jesse and requested to see all of his sons. Jesse, David's father, brought seven sons for Samuel to see.

These young men were strong warriors. Evidently they were nothing like David. Or should I say David was nothing like his brothers.

God told Samuel that none of these young men would be the next king. Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons.

Jesse tried to discourage Samuel by saying, "Yes. There is one more. He is my youngest. But you don't need to see him. He is with the sheep right now."

Samuel called for David to stand before him. Samuel looked at David and the Bible tells us he saw a healthy looking, handsome young man. Immediately the Lord told Samuel, "Anoint him. He is the one."

Samuel took his horn of oil and did as God commanded. The Spirit of the Lord came upon David that day.

We don't know why David's brothers were rejected. We do know God, as he told Samuel to keep looking, made it clear that the heart matters more than outward appearance.

At first glance you might say, "Shew! That's a relief. I'm too short or too fat or my nose is way too big for my face. I'm glad God isn't looking at my appearance."

It would be so easy to miss the beauty and amazing truth behind this verse.

It's a sobering truth to know that God sees our hearts. Our selfish, often confused, easily distracted hearts. When you stop a moment and think about the condition of your heart, you might wish God looked only at your outer self.

We are all so good at putting on our masks. The "I'm not afraid-I have my act together-no need to worry about me" mask. We wear it to church each Sunday. As long as we can keep up the front and have everyone believing we are at the top of our game, we don't have to give personal sin a second thought.

God sees the heart.

He knows when my thoughts do not match my face.

And He loves me.

He knows when I am motivated by self ambition.

And He loves me.

He knows when my patience in thin.

And He loves me.

He knows when I am discouraged.

And He loves me.

He knows when I am worried and wishing I could control the people I love.

And yet, He loves me.

My heart isn't always in the greatest condition. God's love is so great He can look into every dark recess of my heart and still say, "She's mine and I love her."

I asked Jesus to be my Savior many, many years ago. Not only did God forgive every past sin that day, He forgave every future sin too. When God looks at my heart, He sees His one and only Son standing in the gap for me.

While perfection isn't even within reach, my personal sins are forgiven. And, just as He promised, I am never alone.

Does it scare you to know God looks at your heart? It doesn't have to. You can pray, just like I did, and ask Jesus to be your Savior.  He takes a beat up, confused, sinful heart and makes is brand new!

When God looks at my heart, He sees Jesus.

There is no greater truth.

Jesus.

The Power of YES

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

I learned a biblical truth from my momma that she didn't teach me through words but rather through her actions. It has helped me immeasurably over the years as a pastor's wife, not to mention raising 4 kids.

There are days when we feel like Eeyore and we are certain the "rain cloud" is hovering over us.

Often there's more month at the end of the money.

Kids bring home notes asking for a parent/teacher meeting.

The boss is unrealistic in demands.

Your family is plagued by every bug and virus that is sweeping through the school.

Or maybe

You face the long good-bye of a loved one battling illness.

You have lost your job and you don't know what to do.

Someone you love is chained by addiction.

As my husband prayed the other morning during staff devotions, some burdens are so heavy we just can't share them with others but we know we can talk with God. Yes, the ever-present Father God. 

I would never make light of another's heartache. Only God knows the weight of the why's and the how's and the when's of what threatens to take our joy.

But here is the biblical truth my momma taught me. Look for the good. Search for what is right. Refuse to give up. Resist the "no" and embrace the "yes."

It takes practice and some days. . . weeks. . . months. . . years. . . are much more difficult than others, but it can be done. With God's help through the power of His Holy Spirit, we can remove the "I can't do this" from our thoughts and words and replace it with "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Are you struggling today? Is there a raincloud hovering over you? Spend some time praising God for everything, EVERY THING, by listing all the ways (big and small) He shows His love.

And as you list, praise Him from your heart. Praise Him, praise  Him, praise Him. I can't explain it, but when you think on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely. . .anything praiseworthy. . . the way you handle the stress of the day changes.

Thank you, Momma, for teaching me the power of YES.

If you all will excuse me now, I have some true and lovely things to think on.

It's Alright to Cry

Dear Dad & Mom,
 
   As you face the difficulties of life, don't be afraid to show your children real emotions. So often we feel like we need to shield our kids from seeing us cry. We don't want them to become anxious or worry that we are not okay.

   We have been created in the image of The Creator. We know that does not mean that God looked in the mirror the morning He formed Adam and said, "Today, I'll make man and he will look like me." To be created in the image of God is such a deep and difficult truth to grasp. This is what I tell the children - we have been created with the ability to love, laugh,  and cry. God is spirit and so are we. When God formed Adam from the dust of the earth, the Bible tells us He breathed life into him. God gave Adam - and you and me - the breath of life.

   Our sorrow over a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a job, or the death of a loved one is the exact right response. To cry because we are sad, to be angry over what we don't understand, to question - all of these things are good when we turn to our Creator with each one.

   Don't be afraid to let your children see you show these emotions, but be sure you talk with them and let them know why you are sad.

   And as you cry, tell your kids you are trusting God to be near and take care of your sadness.

   And if you are angry over things you do not understand, tell your children you are trusting God to take care of you especially when you don't understand.

   And when you have questions that don't have answers, tell your children you are trusting God to make you okay with no answers. Because honestly, there are things in life that we cannot explain.

   Jesus wept at the death of his good friend Lazarus. Some Bible scholars tell us He cried, not because Lazarus had died, but because His friends had no faith.

   Faith.

   Impossible to describe to those who have none. And yet, God promises when we take the step and say "I believe" His Holy Spirit will supply the faith and the strength we need to not only get through the hard times, but to grow in them. We will not only survive heartache, we are drawn closer to the very heart of God.

   It's alright to cry. And it's okay for your kids to see what it means to be created in the image of God.

                                                                                      Love to all my friends and family in Jesus