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God is never confused or fooled by
the things we say, the words we use when we pray, or even by the
things we do. He knows us through and through.
When the Old Testament prophet
Samuel went looking to select a new king for Israel, he had a
few specific instructions from the Lord. First, he was
told which household to visit. And then he was directed by
God to allow the Lord Himself to do the choosing. Samuel
saw one of the sons of Jesse and figured this young man would
make a very good king, but the Lord told him that He had other
plans.
Scripture says, "the LORD said unto
Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his
stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as
man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the
LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
God looks on the heart, and He knows
the innermost thoughts and drives of every human being.
Jesus, for example, was never misled by the people around Him
because He paid less attention to what they said than to what
was in their hearts. John writes:
"Now when He was in Jerusalem at the
Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they
saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit
Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that
anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man."
(John 2:23-25, NKJV)
An Old Testament Psalmist wrote:
"If we had forgotten the name of our
God,
Or stretched out our hands to a
foreign god,
Would not God search this out?
For He knows the secrets of the
heart. (Psalm 44:20,21
NKJV)
And in the New Testament, we see
this truth applied to the power of Holy Scripture itself.
When God speaks by the prophets and apostles of old, and the
Spirit directs them to record His Word, it is not merely for
their generation alone, but for us as well. God speaks
directly to human hearts, and His message is meaningful to us on
a level that human arguments alone can never reach.
"Indeed, the word of God is living
and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it
divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to
judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before
him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to
the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account."
(Hebrews 4:12,13, NSRV)
You may feel that no one ever
understands the real you, and that no one one ever knows what is
in your heart of hearts. But God knows. God
understands. He knows you better than you know yourself.
He will guide you into all truth if you will allow Him to.
And His message for you in Scripture will make your heart wise
and strong if you are willing to be taught by God.
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