Beyond Our Words

Psalms 28:3 Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts.

As part of King David's Psalm of rejoicing, because of God's answered prayer, and deliverance from his enemies, he makes a statement about those who are workers of iniquity. It immediately reminded me of a verse I read just last evening in 1 Samuel 16:7, "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'" God said this to Samuel, as he was looking for the man God had chosen to take King Saul's place, as king of Israel. This should serve as both a warning and a comfort. As a warning, it should remind us that we may be able to fool others with our "Christian" words and façades, but we cannot fool God. He sees through the acts we put on; the ones we use to try and convince others that we are living righteously, when all along we are living with secret sins that we refuse to give up. He sees when we try to use our service to Him, as a way to hide how far away we really are from Him in our hearts. On the flip side, we can find comfort in knowing that those who have wicked intentions toward us, even when they smile in our faces, will not escape God's judgment. The Lord promised that He will take vengeance on our behalf, if we leave vengeance to Him. The wicked may think that they are getting away with the evil they plot and carry out, while hiding behind their smiles and phony acts of decency. However, one day they will give account for every single word they speak, and every action they carry out. So, regardless of which side of the coin we fall under, know this...God sees beyond our words, right down to the heart.

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 your 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).