I have met a lot of people in my 72 years. Some of them had gorgeous outsides, some didn’t. Some had beautiful hearts, many others didn’t. The outside and the inside don’t always match. Many a person has been fooled by a charming, good-looking exterior that covered a heart that was anything but.
I have also known people who have suffered great disappointments because the world was looking for an “image” rather than quality of character. All you have to do to see that in action is to watch some of these reality talent shows and how the judges “judge” contestants before they perform – then see their reaction when the performance is not what they expected. They are stunned – stunned that the outward image did not reflect the talent.
God, however, isn’t fooled.
“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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” [1 Sam 16:7]
The LORD doesn’t consider appearance or stature. He isn’t concerned with whether we are lithe or dumpy, tall or short, smooth skinned or wrinkled. He’s concerned with the condition of our hearts. I was touched on this last trip by the “quality” of the hearts I experienced. Old friends who love the LORD. Family members who gathered to celebrate a 16th birthday party, who laughed and loved and cried together.
The LORD looks at the heart. Praise God.
