What God Sees Matters Most

Verse of the day: 1Kings 9:4 Now if you walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments,

In Yesterday's Daily Devotional we discussed the importance of internal change vs. external actions. The Apostle Paul expressed that the practice of outward rituals (or exercise) was of little worth, while godliness was of more value (1 Tim 4:8). Here in this verse, we  see God's conversation with King Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba. There is no one better to bring this point home to us than God Himself. King Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD, his own house, and more, when God appears unto him this second time, and speaks to him in regard to His approval of this house by consecrating it to Himself. However, we must take note that when He speaks to King Solomon in respect to what his relationship to the LORD should be, He uses his father, King David, as the example to follow. Today, too many Christians who are more focused, and judge others, only by the outward actions, would probably have condemned King David, bad-mouthed him, and would not have allowed him to serve within the local church's congregation. Yet, here, God holds King David up as the example to follow. Why was that? It certainly was not because of his actions; for we know that outwardly he failed a few times, and did not always do outwardly that which honored God. Yet, inwardly he was a man after God's own heart, and God acknowledged and recognized King David in that manner because of what He saw in his heart. He describes King David in a way that most of us probably would not have described him, based on what we know of his life. However, God said that King David "walked in integrity of heart" or completeness, innocence of mind, will, heart, soul, and understanding. He also described him as walking in "uprightness", or moral straightness or evenness. When we read this, we should be encouraged, because if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that even though our hearts may be for God and His ways, our words, actions, and deeds, do not always reflect that. It is in those moments that we, as born again believers, must be eternally grateful to Jesus that His righteousness before our Heavenly Father is what makes us acceptable, and gives us the ability to come before our God with repentance, and confession, so that we can continue our walk with the Lord. This should also encourage us to continue serving the Lord, even when those around us condemn us when we stumble, rather than help us stay in the fight. When we are the ones who encounter those who stumble, this should serve as a reminder that we are to be careful about how we respond, and what opinions and judgment we express, as we do not know their personal relationship with God, or what God sees in their heart. Our responsibility is to do that which is outlined for us in Galatians 6:1-3, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." The bottom line is that as human beings we can have all kinds of opinions about others, based on what we see of their actions, and others can have their opinions about us, that can discourage us and cause us to walk away from continuing to serve God. However, the only opinion that really matters in our Christians walk is that of the One who sees our hearts. We must do all we can to not hinder the process of God changing our hearts so that we are more like Christ each day in our words, attitude, actions, and deeds. We must also not minimize the consequences of disobeying God's Word, and know that each word, action, and deed, comes with its consequences. King David was a man after God's own heart, and God acknowledged him as the example to follow, but He was not referring to the example of his human, sinful, actions that caused him and his family much trouble and pain. I cannot express enough the importance of having our outward living come from a heart that is truly a heart after God and His ways.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing their sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).