LET YOUR HEART TAKE COURAGE
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7, ESV
Theme: Human standards, including appearances and success, don’t impress God; a right heart does.
GOOD HEART
Just to refresh, what happened prior to the above passage was that the LORD rejected Saul from being king over Israel. He commanded Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go see Jesse the Bethlehemite to select and anoint a king from amongst his sons. Seven sons were presented, and Samuel thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him.” Samuel was sure one of those seven tall, strong and “kingly in appearance” sons would make the ideal king. This is the point we read in today’s Scripture where the LORD looks upon the heart, not outward appearances. Further Scripture describes the journey of David. With today’s verse, we find that God greatly values a good heart.
God knows our hearts better than we do. He knows when sincerity flows from our hearts and when it doesn’t. Is it love and spirituality, or are we too judgmental of the externals (looks, appearance, circumstances, choices)? In other words: Are we judging a book by its cover? Through the Holy Spirit, God wants to give us a new heart, and a new Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26) by looking at the world through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. With that, we can get beyond the book’s cover and find new ways of living our LORD’s will.
RIGHT HEART
Have you ever met someone who takes advantage of others? They don’t listen but expect you to listen. They interact with you only when it’s convenient for them. Are they asking for favors all the time? Do they only reach out to you when they want something? Would you think that they are operating from a good heart? In 2 Corinthians 11:19-21, Paul chastises the Corinthians’ tolerance of boastful and sinful false teachers. Their hearts were not good and right.
In contrast, have you ever met someone who cares for the needs of other people? Are they empathetic, helpful, loyal, kind, pleasant, cooperative and positive? Does their presence invoke brightness? I’m sure you have. That person may be you. Well… that person exemplifies someone with a right and good heart because the Holy Spirit is their guide.
Make It Personal: OK! Which of the above hearts matches yours? Perhaps it’s a mix of both, depending upon many daily factors. Do you struggle between the two? We are human, but are you striving towards the right and good heart? Pray. Trust. Seek God. He looks upon your heart. Guard your heart. “So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17, ESV).
Pray: Almighty and all-knowing Father, it is a good and right thing for us to be in Your eternal presence. We ask that You help open the eyes of our hearts so we may see the righteous path guiding us. Allow the Holy Spirit to instill in us pure hearts so that we may join Jesus in good deeds upon our worldly walk. All this we ask in the Name of the One sacrificed to give us this opportunity. Amen.
Read: 1 Samuel 16:1-6, 2 Corinthians 11:19-21, 2 Timothy 2:24, Proverbs 2:20, Psalm 27:14
Weekly Memory Verse: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21, ESV