Daily Devotional for September 5, 2013

1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord told him, “Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.”
 
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
We don’t have to look very far to see people who appear to have it all… yet their lives are falling apart.  Have you ever asked yourself why “hunks” and “leading ladies” seem to have trouble staying in a relationship or marriage?  Have you ever heard celebrities who were being interviewed by a talk show host declare that they would like to find love, but it kept eluding them?  Do you notice how many “rich and famous” people seem to have trouble with addictions, money management, and more?
 
Looks are deceiving… and I, for one, am thankful that God sees beyond appearances.  I’m glad that He doesn’t choose to love us based on the success of our last movie, whether our nose is shaped just right, or because we have the perfect abs and a full head of gorgeous (natural) hair!  God loves us… He cares what we think and feel, how we treat others, and how we serve Him!
 
What about you?  How do you judge others?  Do you look at their skin color, socio-economic status, political leanings, sexual preferences, nationality, or whether or not society deems them to be “beautiful”? Are they too young, too old, too fat, too thin, or just too ugly?   Or do you choose to look at their heart… to see them as God sees them… to recognize their innate sense of right and wrong - and whether they desire to serve God and share His love with their fellow man?
 
We are all far too judgmental… for all the wrong reasons.  We put way too much emphasis on appearances… physical, material, and otherwise.  It’s time we started getting to know people and looking at their character - their heart - and their potential to serve as a disciple of Christ.  We need to choose to see what God sees.  What are you choosing?
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

No comments: