God Sees The Heart

1 Samuel 16:7


“But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Why is this such a hard concept to grasp? I don’t know very many people who don’t struggle with this reality on a daily basis. We don’t have to be obsessed with self to forget the importance of a clean heart. We don’t have to be overly vain or self-centered to fool ourselves into thinking the condition of our heart is under lock and key – not visible to God or anyone else.


God looks at our heart because He knows therein lies our true self. The condition of that vital “organ” is the barometer for everything else we do and say. If it is covered with layers of fear, bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy or even indifference, the heart will be uglier than any imaginable disfigurement of our outward appearance.

When beauty, youth and robustness are the standards we use to measure our value or someone else’s value, we are dangerously missing the mark. I say dangerous because when we are distracted from the true measure of a man, we cannot meet their needs. We may miss what God is calling us to do in and for the world.

Pray every day for the eyes of discernment – the eyes that see others as God sees them. And even to see our own hearts for the condition they are in. Only then can we effectively make an eternal difference.

Are You Two Sided?

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 3:26

This verse speaks to the two sided people we were created to be – strong and yet vulnerable. It sounds like a paradox, but many biblical principles appear to be that way. It’s our finite minds and worldly views that cant make sense of this kind of Godly principle.

“To be vulnerable is to voluntarily place yourself, for the sake of a larger purpose, in a situation that could bring pain.” Author Paula Rinehart

Sounds kind of like something Christ would do and did for us on the cross. He became vulnerable so that we might have life. Yet it took great strength to go through with this mind boggling plan. He was our perfect example of the dynamics of vulnerability and strength.

We can never reach the fullness of sacrifice without both of these attributes. And sacrifice is what we are called to do for the sake of the Kingdom. Dying to self and standing firm in our beliefs will call attention to the One we serve. It takes vulnerability and strength to serve. We know that vulnerability is a choice, but what of our strength? Our strength comes from God. He knows our hearts will fail us, yet He offers his strength in the portion we need for the moment. Without it we would remain in that place of failure.

Lean on Him. Borrow the strength you need. Be willing to place yourself in that situation that could help another – even at your own risk. Be sure you are acting in God’s will and He will bring success.

Thank you God for making your strength available to me when I fail.

The Altar of Worship

“He (David) appointed some of the Livites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel: …They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.” I CHRONICLES 16:4&6


The dwelling place of God was always at the altar of worship. There He waits for his children to come and offer themselves. His eyes and his heart will delight in our prayers when we set our minds in his direction. When we are fixed only on what God will do for us, we miss out on what He wants to be in our lives.

David knew the way to God’s heart was through worship. In battle, in heartbreak, in triumph – these times were always soaked in the sweetness of praise to God. There was no holding back. All the instruments and voices were directed at regular acts of worship before the altar. It was their custom to “make a joyful noise” before Him. All the Israelites were brought up to know that worship is essential to those who are God’s children.

When we don’t bring our best worship to God, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Others see and most importantly, God sees. His desire is for us to enjoy worship and do it with our whole heart. It is in worship that we can offer ourselves and experience the communion He desires to have with us. It is our choice to either engage or let the opportunities pass by. It’s a decision we all have to make to do whatever is necessary to express our devotion and gratitude to our Creator.

Worship is an attitude of the heart. Once we realize who God is and what He has done for us, we know what we must do. As we let our hearts receive the truth about worship, we will be transformed into the kind of worshipers God is looking for. It’s a matter of dwelling at the altar.

Dear God, I want to dwell where You are. Help me to learn how to praise You in a way that pleases You.