AN INSIDE VIEW

AN INSIDE VIEW

READ: 1 Samuel 16:1-7

The LORD looks at the

heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Retired physicist Arie van’t Riet creates works of art in an unusual way.  He arranges plants and deceased animals in various compositions and then x-rays them.  He scans the developed x-rays into a computer and then adds color to certain parts of his pictures.  His art work reveals the inner complexity of flowers fish, birds, reptiles, and monkeys.

An inside view of something is often more fascinating and more significant than an exterior view.  At first glance, Samuel thought Eliab looked like he could be Israel’s next king (1 Samuel 16:6).  But God warned Samuel not to look at Eliab’s physical traits.  He told Samuel, “People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (v.7).  God chose David, instead of Eliab, to be Israel’s next king.

When God looks at us, He is more interested in our hearts than our height, the state of our soul than the structure of our face.  He doesn’t see us as too old, too young, too small, or too big.  He zeroes in on the things that matter-our response to His love for us and our concern for other people (Matthew 22:37-39).  Second Chronicles 6:30 says that God alone knows the human heart.  When the God who has done so much for us looks at our heart, what does He see?  JENNIFER BENSON SCHULDT

Dear God, help me to value what You value.  

As I follow Your example, I pray that You will be pleased

with what You see in my heart.

The true measure of a person is what’s in the heart.

INSIGHT

David is often used as an example of the best and the worst of human behavior.  Even though his sins are recorded in the pages of Scripture, the final verdict on his life is that he was a man “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).  What we often miss is the reason that he is given this high acclaim.  David’s nearness to the heart of God is reflected most by his repentance after he sinned.  Acknowledging that God’s way is right (exemplified in the act of repentance) is the clearest demonstration of love for Him.  J.R. HUDBERG

Have a blessed night.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace