Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. - Psalm 19:11

God cares not just about outward appearance, but about the heart. When Israel demanded a king and got Saul, they were impressed with how tall and handsome he was. They thought that surely if they had this imposing, handsome man as their king, it would be better for them than a God that no one ever saw, especially their enemies.  

Later, when God rejected Saul and told the great prophet Samuel that he was to anoint a new king, a son of Jesse, Samuel made the same mistake. Samuel saw David’s tall handsome brother, Eliab, and thought surely this is the Lord’s anointed one. But God said no. Then his six other brothers. Again God said no. He had other plans. His plan was for a small shepherd boy to become the greatest king Israel would ever know - David, the giant killer.

‘FOR GOD SEES NOT AS MAN SEES, FOR MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE. THE LORD LOOKS FOR THE HEART.’

He sees the core of who we are. He knows us more deeply than we can ever know ourselves. And He cares about our insides as much or more than our outsides. 

I heard a story from the singer Israel Houghton once. He talked about how when he was first learning to be a worship leader, he would take soup cans out of his cupboard and line them up. Then he would proceed to lead them in a ‘worship’ service. They were the congregation and he would learn what it was to lead worship in front of them - a very accepting audience! Years later, fame and fortune followed. Dove Awards, Grammy Awards, tours, sold-out concerts, and best-selling CDs. But one day, when Israel was really praying and seeking God, he felt like the Lord said to him, “Israel, I liked it better when you were leading cans in worship than when you are leading thousands now.” How could that be? Here was an artist at the top of his popularity, skill, the peak of his game...and he was doing it all for God, wasn’t he? Perhaps not. We can all fall into the trap of forgetting our first love and letting our own agendas become our central focus. Life becomes about us. My dreams, my desires. My career, my finances, my family, my health.

But God wants it to be about Him. His glory. His majesty. His plan and will. Seeking and connecting with Him. Not play-acting. He desires a contrite heart, not sacrifices. He gave you gifts and wants you to be part of His plan, but He can accomplish His designs without you. What He wants is your heart - all of it. Your inward being. That must be first and foremost. Without our hearts committed to Him, the most glorious music we make will be a clanging cymbal in His ears. The best career, family, bank account, reputation, friends-these all can be idols in our life if He is not first. 

He is reaching out to you. Give your heart fully to Him. Pray that you don’t lose your first love, but that He would once again stoke the fires of our sacred romance with Him.

Questions for Thought

1. What have you put as most important in your life?

2. Could it ever turn into an idol to you?

3. How would God have you see that thing?