Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

11 April 2024

Reading From I Samuel 15-17

“When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’

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.’”

–I Samuel 16:6-7

     Almighty God knows the thoughts, feelings, intentions, dreams, nightmares and everything else about every human being who has ever lived.  There is nothing hidden from Him.  What I find miraculous about that is not only the breadth of knowledge that God has, but the depth of love that He still has for everyone regardless of what He knows about them.  Many times we think to ourselves that we must hide disagreeable parts of our personality because we are afraid that if people knew, they wouldn’t like us.  With God, He knows everything and still loves us.  That is truly remarkable!  Especially considering what a terrible person I can be at times.  Thanks be to God for His goodness and mercy to me and to the rest of the human race.

     How true the Scripture is that people look at the outward appearance.  We have a tendency to judge so much at face value.  We obsess over our looks.  Youthful and healthy appearance is highly prized in our culture.  Whatever our initial evaluation is, and that evaluation is usually based on whatever prejudice or bias we all have, that is what is so difficult to see beyond.  If we are ever going to see people as the Lord sees them, we must look beyond outward appearance.  We must see beyond face value.  We need to dig deeper and really get to know others.  Then we can gain understanding of their background and appreciate where they come from. 

     I find that those who genuinely care about others tend to ask many questions in conversation.  Why?  It shows they genuinely care enough to want to know the answers to those questions and thereby get to know that person better.  Curiosity is a good tool to get beyond the superficial.  David wasn’t the tallest or best looking of all his brothers, but God saw beyond his outward appearance.  God saw potential in David and one day he became one of the greatest rulers Israel ever knew. 

“God, I pray that You would fill my heart with genuine love for others.  Forgive me for being ugly at times in my life.  Cleanse me from my mistakes and help me to do better.  Bring to my attention relationships that need healing.  May I be intentional in making people feel valued and appreciated.  Thank You for loving me even though I’m not perfect.  I am so grateful that You began a good work in me and that You will be faithful to complete it.  Amen.”

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. –Psalm 139:23-24

For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. –I Corinthians 2:11