Lynda by the river: Weekend Words

Search My Heart, God

Read: 1 Samuel 16:4-12

"People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

To reduce food waste, a supermarket chain in Singapore sells slightly blemished fruits and vegetables at lower prices. In one year, this initiative saved more than 850 tons (778,000 kg) of produce that previously would've been thrown out for not meeting aesthetic standards. Shoppers soon learned that outward appearances - scars and quirky shapes - don't affect flavor and nutritional value. What's on the outside doesn't always determine what's on the inside.

The prophet Samuel learned a similar lesson when he was sent by God to anoint the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1). When he saw Eliab, the firstborn son of Jesse, Samuel thought he was the chosen one. But God said: "Do not consider his appearance or his height .... People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (v. 7). Out of Jesse's eight sons, God chose the youngest, David - who was tending his father's sheep (v. 11) - to be the next king.

God is more concerned with our hearts than with outward credentials - the school we attended, what we earn, how much we volunteer. Jesus taught His disciples to focus on purifying their hearts of selfish and evil thoughts because "what comes out of a person is what defiles them" (Mark 7:20). Just as Samuel learned not to consider outward appearances, may we, with God's help, examine our hearts - our thoughts and intentions - in all that we do.

-Jasmine Goh

From Be Still and Know...

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).

What do we do if we are hungry? We eat. What do we do when we are thirsty? We take a drink.

Jesus used the everyday experience of eating and drinking to illustrate a spiritual desire. Jesus said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness."

Very little happiness is registered on the faces of people today. An emptiness in their lives has not been filled, and they are hungering and thirsting for something more than what they have. The accumulation of things, material possessions, or attainment of position in society cannot satisfy the heart. "Happy are those who are hungry and thirsty for true goodness, for they will be FULLY SATISFIED!" (Matthew 5:6, Phillips).

This verse promises that our inner hunger and thirst can be filled, but only filled with the righteousness of God. Phillips calls it the "goodness of God." Righteousness is being right with God. It is being right with God through Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:30 we read of Christ that "He made unto us ... righteousness."

Some fill their lives with possessions, homes, family, clothes, bank accounts, fame, talent. But none of these things satisfy. Satisfaction and fulfillment come to those who fill their lives with the righteousness (or goodness) that only God gives.

The psalmist wrote, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee" (Psalm 63:1).

Paul reviewed his life, sharing that which gave it reality and satisfaction when he said, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:8).

Only in turning to Him can our lives be fully satisfied. Jesus said, "I am the Bread of life: he that cometh to ME shall never hunger; and he that believeth on ME shall never thirst" (John 6:35).

Are you hungering for peace and contentment? Are you longing for joy and satisfaction? Then let Him fill you with Himself today.

"O taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).

From In Green Pastures...

Grace for the Day

God does not give us his grace as he gives his sunshine - pouring it out on all alike. He discriminates in spiritual blessings. He gives strength according to our need. His eye is ever on us in tender, watchful love, and what we need at the time he supplies. He gives us grace for grace. When one grace is exhausted another is ready. The grace is always timely. It is not given in large store in advance of the need, but is ready always on time. It may not always be what we wish, but it is always what we really want.