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.” — 1 Samuel 16:7
How do we know what’s in a person’s heart? Well, the truth is we don’t know. Jesus said we could get close by examining the fruit in their life but even then we may miss it (Luke 6:43-45). Have you ever met someone who was attractive on the outside, but later you found them to be deeply flawed. Well, appearances can be deceiving because we can’t see what’s on the inside with the clarity that only God can. He is able to look beneath the surface at the heart. But when He does, what does He see—especially in us?
I read a story about a stonemason in southwestern England who found an old limestone carving in a quarry that he carried home. The stone ended up in his shed for years until Winkle his cat died. Then it served as Winkle’s tombstone out in the stonemason’s yard where he buried the cat. One day an amateur historian noticed the carving out in the stonemason’s yard and suggested that it might in fact, be not just an old carving—it might be a very old carving. Sure enough, further examination revealed that the carving was actually dated to the ninth or tenth century, over a thousand years old. The stonemason later sold it an auction for more than $465,000. And Winkle the cat? Well, he apparently had to settle for a new tombstone.
Looks at best are deceiving. Good looks at best are temporary. But what’s lasting about a man or woman is what’s on the inside—in the heart and only God can affect and change the human heart. 2 Corinthians 5:17 from the New Living Translation of the Bible speaks about that change, “those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” And what will be the end result? “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18
Now that’s priceless—much more than an old limestone carving. Are you letting God change you from the inside out? Maranatha!
Pastor Don
