Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

TUESDAY OCTOBER 20


AN INSIDE VIEW

READ
1 Samuel 16:7
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The LORD looks
at the heart.
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Retired physicist Arie van't Riet creates works of art in an unusual way. He arranges plants and deceased animals n various compositions and then .-rays them. He scans the developed x-rays into a computer and then adds color to certain parts of his pictures. His artwork reveals the inner complexity of flowers, fish, birds, reptiles, and monkeys.

An inside view of something is often more fascinating and more significant than an exterior view. At first glance, Samuel thought Eliab looked like he could be Israel's next king (1 SAM. 16:6). But God warned Samuel not to look at Eliab's physical traits. He told Samuel, "People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (v.7). God chose David, instead of Eliab, to be Israel's next king.

When God looks at us, He is more interested in our hearts than our height, the state of our soul than the structure of our face. He doesn't see us as too old, too young, too small, or too big. He zeroes in on the things that matter__our response to His love for us and our concern for other people (MAT. 22:37-39). Second Chronicles 6:30 says that God alone knows the human heart. When the God who has done so much for us looks at our heart, what does He see? ____Jennifer Benson Schuldt

**Dear God, help me to value what You value.
as I follow Your example, I pray that You will be pleased
with what You see in my heart.
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The true measure of a person is what's in the heart.

*********************************Today's Bible Reading __ 1Samuel 16:1-7*******************************

1 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for
Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill
your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you
to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to
be king."

2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he
will kill me."

The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come
to sacrifice to the LORD.' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I
will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I
indicate."

4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at
Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met
him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"

5 Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to
the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with
me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them
to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely
the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."

7 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."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
David is often used as an example of the
best and the worst of human behavior. Even though his sins are
recorded in the pages of Scripture, the final verdict on his life is
that he was a man "after God's own heart" (1 SAM 13:14; ACTS 13:22).
What we often miss is the reason that he is given this high acclaim.
David's nearness to the heart of God is reflected most by his
repentance after he sinned. Acknowledging that God's way is right
(exemplified in the act of repentance) is the clearest demonstration
of love for Him.