“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

The Lord sees.

Inside!

Our outward appearance means nothing to him. God is not impressed by any of it for his standard of measuring excellence is completely different from ours. He knows the condition of our heart when no one else does and is not fooled by anything on the outside. With his discerning eye on us, we cannot camouflage our failings with cover-up cosmetics.

He knows. He gets us. He sees.

And yet, God loves. In spite of our wretched ways, he loves us through it. He is light for our murky places, flame to reignite our inner fire. The Lord’s still small voice whispers unchanging truth that is capable of changing us. In his fullness we are filled to the brim even when life pokes its hole through.

Our God is radiant and reliable, trustworthy and true. He is Savior and Satisfier, reigning as King but stooping low to hear our trembling voice and cleanse us from anxious thoughts that awaken us in the dark.

Because the Lord sees within, he moves in to redirect, to realign, to restore. He is always the source of creating in us a clean heart and renewing right ways within us (See Psalm 51:10). As we ask him and wait on him to work, he will transform us with his own brand of beauty and love.

Come, dear Lord, and invade our space. Show us your face and keep our eyes steady on your gaze. Redirect our sinful ways, stifle our selfishness, saturate us with your peace. Give us a heart that is beautiful to you – one eager to bless and praise you, to remember all your goodness, to recall your faithfulness in good times and bad. Let those who glance in our direction today see you reflected there. Amen.

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24-25).

Elizabeth A Mitchell

Photo Credit: Allison Christine