The Lord Looks At The Heart

"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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint the next king over Israel, Samuel saw the stature of Eliab and thought for sure this one must be the one. But, the Lord let him know that He had not chosen the next king of Israel by his outward appearance. In the end, it was Jesse's youngest son, just a shepherd in the field, who was called to be anointed to be the next king.

In the spring when the dandelions begin to bloom, my husband is in a hurry to get rid of them. I see the yellow blossoms as doing no harm. They are a sign of spring and I enjoy their presence in my yard. We each have a different perspective on what we see or hear. We see things differently. My husband sees weeds. I see flowers; a gift from God that are, in fact, consumable.

God see things a whole lot differently than we do. So what does God see when He looks into our hearts? Our neighbors may see our hearts as dark as the night. But, what does God see? Does he see a child in pain who has not yet learned how to deal with life around him? Does he see a heart that is aching for only the peace that He can give? 

No one; but, God, can know what is truly in the heart of another person. Whether good or evil; whether a weed or a flower, only God can know for sure.

Who knows? The next weed that you try to destroy just might be a treasured flower; a beloved and chosen child of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Samuel 28:15 - Saul and Medium of Endor

Well, I could tell from the heading of this chapter that Saul was going to be in trouble.

He's already in trouble for the LORD will not talk speak to him either by prophets or dreams. But, I guess it's not enough for Saul. In spite of the fact that God forbids bringing people back from the dead in order to consult with them, Saul goes to a medium who raises up Samuel up from the dead for him. Course then again, we cannot be sure if the spirit that was raised was actually Samuel or another spirit as it does not sound like Saul actually saw Samuel, rather the medium gave him a description of what she said she saw. (vs. 13-14) Saul for some reason thinks Samuel might give him a message from God. Samuel does not. Saul received only a repeat of the last words that Samuel said to him before he died with the additional warning that tomorrow he and his sons will be with Saul. Simply put - they will die.

Conjuring up spirits that may or may not be dead relatives or friends is forbidden by God and will bring you nothing but trouble. Please, stay away from fortune tellers and mediums, for your own sake. If you need answers to the direction you should go: study His word, and listen to the Word. You will find all you need in Him. Don't be like Saul, adding one misstep upon the other.

1 Samuel 25 - Happily Ever After

Samuel is dead, apparently of old age.

Nabal's does not get to live out his natural life span. He is an old (maybe not too old) crank who thinks only of himself. He is ill-tempered and disrepectful to David. David seeks to kill him when he hears of Nabal's disrespect. But, Nabal's wife, Abigail, goes to David and intercedes for Nabal and Nabal's life is spared. But, the LORD avenges David. By the hand of the LORD Nabal dies.

I often wonder when I read or hear this story if Abigail goes to David to spare her own life or the life of Nabal or both. Usually, my answer is both. After all, if Nabal dies, who will care for her? Maybe, David understands this and because of Abigail's pleas, has mercy on her and spares them both. But, the LORD has other plans. The LORD avenges David, releasing Abigail from the marriage to Nabal by striking him dead. Abigail marries David and lives happily ever after. Well, not so sure about the happily ever after. But, she is now married to one who can protect and provide for her.

Not many of us get to live the happily ever after. The only real happily ever after is in the kingdom of God - united (reunited) with God our Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Here's the union that will bring true peace and joy - the happy ever after... And from this relationship, all other relationships will fall into a peaceful place..

God's peace be with you... this day.

1 Samuel 15 - Interesting but Tough

Wow! Some of these old testament stories sure are tough! They are interesting, but tough! I thank the LORD that He has made a new covenant with us through Jesus the Christ! For under the standards of the old covenant, we would all surely fall.

Saul is rejected for not having killed the choicest animals or Agag when God commanded him to. Course then his motivation was probably not to sacrifice the animals to God, nor was it to spare Agag because he liked him. Rather, it was more likely to show him that he could if he wanted to. Saul wanted to show his authority and power. And... that is what God objected to. God is God. Saul is not.

I love Samuel! So... in your face. He does not let Saul get away with his feeble excuses. He calls his actions for what they are. He tells it exactly like it is. "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king." (vs.23). So matter of fact. But, on the other hand it also reminds me to thank God that He has made a new covenant through Jesus the Christ, our Saviour and LORD.