The Heart God Looks At
February 16
People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
If this verse is true, and it is, then we are all in trouble. Nothing is hidden from Him.
He sees the good. He sees the bad. He sees what we would rather He didn’t see.
He knows the motives beneath our words. He sees what drives us when we are afraid, ambitious, wounded, or proud. There is no performance before God. He sees it all.
And yet — grace. Undeserved and unmerited favour.
While we all know what we deserve, God made a way.
When Samuel was looking for a king, he assumed strength would look impressive. But God interrupted him. I look at the heart.
That has always been His way. Later in Isaiah, we hear this invitation:
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord. (Isaiah 51:1)
God speaks specifically to those who seek Him. Not to the perfect or the polished. But to those who seek Him. The ones who turn their hearts toward Him.
And something remarkable happens when hearts seek righteousness. Those who pursue God often bring others with them. Some who were not seeking begin to stir because of the lives lived out in faith living right alongside them. Some are drawn closer. Some get caught up in what God is doing.
But not all. Some become distracted by life itself. Some are consumed by life’s busyness. And some intentionally resist what God is building.
Because God is intentionally bringing order into chaos. He is always moving history toward redemption.
His plan is perfect. His Son would come and has come as the perfect Servant, bringing salvation and restoration.
The offer of grace is available to all. But the heart determines the response.
Some will seek. Some will drift. And some will choose to oppose. And then the question becomes personal.
Where do you find yourself?
Prayer
Father God,
You see my heart completely. Nothing is hidden from You. Thank You for Your grace and for making a way through Your Son.
Guard me from distraction and resistance. Form in me a heart that seeks You and pursues righteousness. Draw me deeper into what You are doing.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.