God's View

I Samuel 16:7 ...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

This passage of scripture came to my mind this morning while I was doing my daily bible reading. Something I read caused me to think about this verse. It is really a verse that can bring comfort or judgment.

It brings judgment if your heart is dark. No matter what your skill set or your learning or training, at the end of the day, God is looking at your heart, at your motives. Leadership is a gift and a skill that can be learned. It is incredibly important and plays a massive part in success in every area of life. But this scripture says no matter what men are seeing, in the long haul God is observing motive and I believe that He is going to reward ultimately based on what is in a man's heart.

It brings hope if your heart is bright. I could just write the previous paragraph and be done. It is true for both statements. However let me say a word of encouragement to those who may be discouraged by what they see today. I am going to be honest. All of our work for God is a cooperative effort between us and the Holy Spirit. We do what we can with the resources God has made a available to us and then we trust Him to be God and do what only He can. Sometimes we can become discouraged when we observe others apparent and genuine success, that seems to be based on a unique skill set and an abundant blessing from God himself.
When you become discouraged because of circumstances remember God's word to Joshua in chapter 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Take a look at your heart today and remember it is people who are looking at the outward appearances and God is looking at the heart.

Be Not Dismayed

Augustus Adolphus

BE not dismayed, thou little flock,
Although the foe’s fierce battle-shock,
Loud on all sides, assail thee.
Though o’er thy fall they laugh secure,
Their triumph cannot long endure:
Let not thy courage fail thee.
Thy cause is God’s: go at his call,
And to his hand commit thy all.
Fear thou no ill impending.
His Gideon shall arise for thee,
God’s word and people manfully,
In God’s own time, defending.
Our hope is sure in Jesus’ might;
Against themselves the godless fight,
Themselves, not us, distressing.
Shame and contempt their lot shall be;
God is with us, with him are we;
To us belongs his blessing.