He knows your heart

“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart… And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men.” 1Sam 16:7 & Isa 29:13

On Sunday, I enquired about a lady who has not been in church for months. I wanted to know if she was attending another church, at least. Her friend told me that she just stays at home and that we needed to pray because she has a lot of problems. I know the lady has gone through tough times in the past and, as far as I am aware of, nothing much has changed to make a bearable situation, all of a sudden unbearable.

The truth of the matter is that many people come to church not because they genuinely love the LORD, but because they expect something from Him; and if He doesn’t deliver on their expectation, they think they are entitled to look for another “supplier”. However, GOD knows our hearts. I can fool people around. I can impress them with my church attendance, bible quotes etc. They may even wonder why my request is still not granted, with a devotion like mine; because they judge based on appearances; but GOD, who knows my heart, knows where I really stand. He knows whether I stand with Daniel’s friends [who told the king that they would continue to serve their God faithfully, even if He would not deliver them] or if I am with the children of Israel [who complained bitterly and were ready to go back to Egypt after the first setbacks].

GOD knows our hearts. He knows the real reason why each and every one of us actually comes to church. Those who truly love Him are in a relationship similar to that of marriage with Him: they are together for better and for worse; in the good and in the bad days; in prosperity ad in adversity. Whereas, those, whose hearts are far from Him, take GOD for a retailer. If they don’t find what they came to buy, they just stop coming and change shops. To the firsts, GOD withholds NO good thing (Ps 84:11). But He will resist the seconds until they surrender and understand, eventually, that He knows what He is doing; He is the only One who can help them; He doesn’t take orders or advices from anybody and they’d better have Him as a friend.

Have a 'wonderblessed' week trusting the LORD your GOD.