Tag: ONE

Voluntary vulnerability

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 16:1-7; Psalm 139 (day one, week two of a new summer series)

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”–1 Samuel 16:7.

It is a statement of fact.  Not a threat or a promise.  God looks at the heart.  He IS looking, this very moment.  “I am the Lord who searches the heart, who tests the inner depths to give to each person according to what he deserves.”—Jeremiah 17:10.  “Able to discern the thoughts and the intentions of the heart.”—Hebrews 4:13.  Does it give you the willies to think of it?  I hope not.  The infinitely holy One is also the infinitely merciful One.  David came to a place where He welcomed the searching eye of the trustworthy One.  He prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”—Psalm 139:23.  He became voluntarily vulnerable.  If God already knows my deepest secrets, why shouldn’t I be open and honest with Him? Only good will come from it.

WHY did you not obey?

Re Verse reading – 1 Samuel 15:1-35 (day six) 
“WHY did you not obey the Lord?” (v 19)  It is a question that we should hope to never hear.  2 Corinthians 5:10 says that “we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”  What if, on that day, we hear the words He used with Saul?  Why?  What possible reason did you have for not immediately, happily obeying the expressed will of your creator?  WHY did you give avoidance and reluctance to the ONE worthy of life and loyalty? I am certain that our excuses will sound as hollow as Saul’s.  Because God KNOWS the true answer.  In v 23 He identifies the problem– rebellion and arrogance.  As much as we hate to face it, the true explanation for our disobedience is that we don’t WANT to obey God and we think we know a BETTER plan.  Embarrassing to admit?  Wait until the blaze of His glory makes this question impossible to answer!  Why?  Why?