God Sees the Faithful Heart - Your Nightly Prayer - February 2nd
God Sees the Faithful Heart
Your Nightly Prayer
by Dr. James Spencer, host of the Thinking Christian Podcast
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Faithfulness can seem futile. We show up. We do the right thing. We obey. But we see little effect. Nothing changes. We can be tempted to think that what we are doing doesn’t matter. But our faithfulness does matter because we aren’t called to fix the broken world, but to live faithfully in a world so broken that only God can fix it.
When we remain wholly devoted to him, we may not see the world change, but we can be sure we are participating with God in all he is doing. Scripture reminds us that faithfulness is always the right choice.
When Samuel is sent to anoint Israel’s next king, he looks at Jesse’s older sons and sees some good candidates. They were strong, capable, and impressive. Samuel would have chosen one of them. But God disrupted Samuel’s assumptions because God doesn’t evaluate our lives the way we do. While people are drawn to can be seen—to the characteristics that will effect change in the world—God attends to what cannot be seen. He looks at the heart.
Jesse’s youngest son, David, wasn’t even invited to the initial gathering. He was out in the fields tending sheep. David was doing the ordinary work he had been given. But it was David, unseen and overlooked by others, whom God had chosen. David had the right heart.
This passage reminds us that God’s work in our lives often unfolds beyond what we can measure or observe. When obedience feels ineffective or inefficient. When prayer seems like a waste of time. When service doesn’t change anything. God is still at work. He sees our devotion to him.
Faithfulness opens up opportunities for us to participate in building God’s kingdom that nothing else can. We begin to trust more deeply that God is doing something, even if we don’t fully understand what that something is. A faithful heart prompts us to trust God so that as we obey the Lord, our trust in him grows.
It is tempting for us to look at potential and achievement. We tend to gravitate to people who look the part. God doesn’t necessarily ignore our physical gifts, but the heart is more important because God’s kingdom isn’t built on what we can achieve, but on what God can achieve through us. Our hearts matter because those who are humble and devoted to the Lord are best suited to point to and glorify him.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord, we ask that you soften our hearts so that we can be useful to you. We want to respond to you in faithfulness rather than responding to situations with our own strategies, ambitions, and interests. When our faithfulness seems ineffective, remind us that faithfulness is always our best strategy. Help us remain faithful and align our desires with yours. Teach us to serve, not to change the world, but to love you. Give us peace as we rest in the knowledge that you are watching, working, and guiding us according to your perfect wisdom. We pray these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. How does knowing that God sees the heart change your perspective on faithfulness?
2. How might God be shaping you through ordinary acts of faith?
3. How does remembering his faithfulness encourage you to trust him now?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Siri Stafford
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