Saturday, October 17, 2009

THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART

Welcome to Spiritual Sunday hosted by Charlotte and Ginger. To read all the WONDERFUL posts that others have written, please click HERE


...For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samual 16:7

In this particular passage of scripture, Samuel made the mistake of judging Eliab based on his appearance. This was the same mistake Israel had made when it came to the failed King Saul. Saul looked the part of a king, but he didn't have the heart a king of God's people should have.

Unfortunately for all of mankind it is very much a fact that man looks at the outward appearance of things. I think in so many ways it is just our natural inclination. A man (or woman) "appears" to be successful if they are dressed well, drive the right kind of car, have a large bank account, the right friends, fame, an important job, a beautiful home, or whatever the particular measuring stick being used dictates. I think sometimes even among Christians this can be true. Who is it that "appears" to have it all together in the midst of adversity? Who is being used more by the Lord, or appears to have a ministry that is truly being blessed by God? Whose kids are more obedient or respectful? Like I said, it all depends upon the measuring stick begin used. And yet everyone of us knows from experience that none of these things means FOR SURE what kind of a person they really are on the inside. Only God can see inside our hearts and know what's truly hidden there. I do believe however that many times a heart truly devoted to God is easy to see. I'm glad it's not up to me to judge anyone. And even though it's been proven over and over again that the attractive person is much more likely to get the job, the promotion, the mate, or whatever the sought after prize might be, we need only to concern ourselves with pleasing God and with what the Lord see in our hearts.

"The world is full of idolatry's, but I question if any idolatry has been more extensively practiced than the idolatry of the outward appearance." BLAIKE

I have been guilty of this for sure, as I imagine most of us have been at one time or another. I think there has been many times in my life recently where I felt like I didn't measure up very well by the worlds standards. I look around me sometimes and feel like I have let too much of my appearance go, my house isn't as clean as it could be, I've never worked much outside of my own home, and have not done much of anything at all that the world would tell me means that I am successful as a person. And yet, this is NOT the measuring stick that the Lord will use when I stand before Him someday. I need to concern myself ALOT more about that, and remember to do the things He would have me do.

In this verse we are told that God looks not at the outward appearance of man, but in his inner most being of his heart. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord as we are not capable of seeing into the heart of a man. Knowing that our natural inclination is to judge someone or something on it's outward appearance does not mean we need to give into that. We should seek the Lord and seek God's heart and mind when looking at other people. There really is nothing as attractive as a heart that has truly been touched by God...

I think what I am trying to say here can be summed up in this Helen Steiner Rice poem...

We are often discontented and much dissatisfied
That our wish for recognition has not been gratified.
We feel that we've been cheated in beauty, charm and brains
And we think of all our "losses" and forget about our gains.
And dwelling on the things we lack we grow miserable inside
Brooding on our "deficits" that are born of selfish pride.
We begin to harbor hatred and envy fills our heart
That we do not possess the things that make others "seem so smart".
And in our condemnation of the traits that we possess
We magnify our painful plight and sink further in distress.
Oh Lord, forgive our foolishness, our vanity, and pride
As we strive to please the eye of man and not GOD who sees INSIDE.
And little do we realize how contented we would be
If we knew that we were BEAUTIFUL when our hearts are touched by THEE....

18 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie,
    As always i so enjoy reading anything you have written. It is as if you are writing for me. I am so glad that God looks deep within my heart, and that He doesn't judge me from the outside. i can't say enough about your insight into the scriptures, what a wonderful gift from God!
    We did have a great time, but am glad to be back in my own little nest, though we miss our family so much!
    I have missed visiting you too, and have thought of you so much. I hope to get on a more stable schedule so i can do more visiting. Have a blessed Worship Day tomorrow.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  2. I am so glad that our Lord looks at the heart! So opposite of the world! Thank you for your prayers for me.

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  3. Oh Debbie, This is such an awesome truth that we all need to be reminded of constantly. This world is soooo visual, and even just recently I had to repent of my attitude toward someone I didn't even know because of how they looked. It can be so subtle, and just creep back in if we're not careful. Thank you so much for your exhorting words, and for sharing from your heart!

    I am SO glad God caused our paths to cross!! You are a BLESSING!!

    Have a lovely, joy-filled Sunday, my new friend!
    Love 'n hugs,
    Becky

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  4. So much importance is put on the outward appearance. It's easy to fall into that trap.

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  5. Thanks for this reminder to care about what God thinks of us. It also reminds me to adjust how I look at others.

    May God bless your week!

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  6. Wonderful post. Thank you.
    Susan

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  7. Good point, Debbie. We focus so much on the outward appearance and yet neglect the things of God. I hope that you have a happy Sunday.

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  8. Beautiful post Debbie and so true. Unfortunately, even in the church I see this happen too frequently. I'm so glad our Lord sees beyond the outward to the heart. And I also believe over time we can also see the hearts of others. If we truly love the Lord, that love can't help but spill over to others and impact our actions. Love in action!

    Happy Sunday and may the Lord bless you!

    Love,
    Debbie

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  9. Thank you for the reminder of what matters most to the Lord! Blessings to you and have a wonderful weekend.

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  10. My dad always told me that beauty is only skin deep. I'm so happy that the Lord knows my heart.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  11. Oh my, Debbie! This post struck a chord in my heart; certainly, I will take your message forward into the new week, and the weeks after that! Thank you for this powerful reminder!

    May you and your lovely family thoroughly enjoy today's blessings!

    Myra

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  12. Our hearts are amazing...and so is God for creating us all... it is hard not to judge others but realizing we will, too, be judged helps keep us in place, I think!

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  13. Oh, my goodness, Debbie, this is so very true...thank you so much for writing this...yes, it IS idolatry to admire and covet the outward appearance...how we try emulate others is so sad. We also judge the looks of others. I once was sitting in church, and I hate to admit that I was looking on someone in judgment for their appearance. Suddenly, the Lord let me see everyone in the congregation without skin...all I saw was beneath the surface, right into the heart of each of them. What I saw was a multitude of worshippers that were singing praises to the Lord...and I was, to my great shame, looking at the outward appearance. I was awakened to my prejudice...something I didn't realize I was capable of. What an eye opener, but more importantly, it was a heart opener. This post was so needed...I pray we all gain great insight from the many, many scriptues the Lord gives us to warn us of the danger in striving to be like another man, or woman, rather than to be like Christ. When we take our eyes of of Him, and focus on the world and the things of the world, we lose our salt and our light, and how that must sadden Him.

    God bless,
    Mary

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  14. What a wonderful well written post, Debbie. And it was very helpful to read that we are beautiful because we are touched by God! Beauty from ashes......
    God bless.

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  15. Beautiful post, from a beautiful heart.

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  16. Great post, Debbie. I don't think anyone could have said it better. We always need to remember that it is the heart God is interested in, and not outward appearance. Thank you for sharing this with us.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  17. Excellent post! You have said this so well. I'm so thankful the Lord knows our heart, even when others could be judging us wrongly.

    The Helen Steiner Rice poem is wonderful, I have always liked her poems.

    Katherine

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  18. Amen!

    In Ephesians 2:13 Paul wrote, “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

    Praise God for His gift of grace.

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving a note! Have a glorious week. Blessings.

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!