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 we do.  People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16: 7).  People consider what they can see on the outside, they judge by looks with their eyes.  They say, “Seeing is believing,” but their eyes are easily deceived and the outer appearance is not a true reflection of the person’s heart.  We say, “A book is not judged by its cover,”  because it is the story within that 

gives the book it’s merit.

How different this world would be if we could perceive the heart of each person.  There was one who could and His name was Yeshua.  He encountered people who were sick, burdened with sin, deformed, blind, and harassed by demons and He saw beyond the exterior and into their heart.  He told more than one who came to him, “your sins are forgiven”. (Matt. 9: 2; Luke 7: 48).  He had compassion on them and set them free, healed their infirmity, forgave their sin and made them whole.  To the proud and self-sufficient he brought the truth, that humility and love were the characteristics that God required. To the wealthy young ruler, He said, “sell what you have and come follow me.”  Yeshua knew what each person needed and He is the same today and tomorrow.

Not only do we see the surface of others, we deceived ourselves when we think we can solve our issues or provide for ourselves.  One of the most offensive qualities to the world is the humility of a Believer.  Yeshua gave the ultimate example of humility when He came to serve humanity.  The King of Heaven and God’s only Son became a poor itinerant preacher and teacher among a small nation of captive people.  He did not even promote Himself, his own brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do.  No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.  Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” (John 7: 3-4).  God’s ways are not our ways, the words and acts of Yeshua have been recorded and preserved for over two thousand years. That record, the Bible, is the most widespread book ever read and written.  There is no equal to the Word of God, it has power to raise the dead to life.  “For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4: 12).

Put on humility and give your whole heart to your Maker and Savior.  “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph. 3: 16-21).