God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7b
The words to the song by Michael W. Smith have been on my mind a lot recently. “I’m coming back to a heart of worship, And it’s all about You, It’s all about You, Jesus.”
I realize how easy it is to slip into the routine of doing even good and necessary things – like spending quiet time alone with the Lord daily, reading God’s Word, doing the ministry He has called me to do. I have to ask myself “Where is my heart?” Am I doing all of this out of love and worship of God, or am I just doing it out of duty or habit because I know it’s the right thing to do?
These Scriptures are a reminder that my heart attitude and motivation are what pleases God, not just the outward actions. God cares about what He sees in my heart.
Isaiah 29:13 People draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service. But they remove their hearts far from Me.
Proverbs 3:1 Let your heart keep My commands.
Luke 10:27 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. (NIV)
Psalm 86:11 Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. (NLT)
2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (NLT)
Jeremiah 17:9 The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? (NLT)
Psalm 139:23 gives the answer to that question. It is God who sees our heart. We can pray with the psalmist: “Search me, O God, and know my heart…Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (NLT)
God has given us the solution for hearts that are not aligned with His heart: We need to recognize our sin and confess. 1 John 1:9 tells us that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness’” (NIV) We can ask Him for more awareness of our need for the Holy Spirit and the fruit that comes from a close relationship with Him – Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22).
I need to have a “heart check-up” often. Am I just going through the motions of doing what I know God wants me to do, or am I serving Him out of a heart of love and worship, depending on the Holy Spirit to lead me and keep me centered in God’s heart?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
What is your attitude and motivation for what God has called you to do?
Ask God to show you what He sees in your heart. Are you willing to confess any area that is not aligned with His heart? He is so ready to forgive when we confess.
He delights when we come back to Him with a heart of worship!
Thank You Sherrilyn. Yesterday a good friend was having a pace-maker installed. It makes me think about my motives for doing things. Am I doing it out of rote or tradition. Or am I going to church asking God to reveal what’s really in my heart.
Another inspired devotional! Thank you, dear Sherrilyn. God always uses you to encourage me by your words and your love!