God Looks On The Heart

• Someone said, “Many people have finally realized that money can't buy happiness. Now they're trying credit cards.” (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988, p. 370.)

• An ad appeared in the classified section of the newspaper that read: "I would like to announce that the ad I put in this newspaper last Saturday was in error. I will be responsible for any debts incurred by my wife. And I will start paying as soon as I get out of the hospital." (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988.)

When we start to look around at what others have and then lust for it, we can find ourselves in big trouble fast! Israel looked around at their neighbors and wanted what they had and it certainly got them into trouble.

They wanted to be like other nations and probably they chose Saul for his size and looks. BUT HE WAS A TERRIBLE KING!

So, when they were ready to choose another king, God told Samuel, "...Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." In other words, God was saying, "Do not make the same dumb mistake again."

Illus: Speaking of dumb mistakes, a couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He appears to be dead but his friend is not sure. The man whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: "My friend appears to be dead! What should I do?" The operator, in a calm soothing voice says: "Just take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a shot is heard. The guy's voice comes back on the line. He says: "OK, now what?"

We all have made our share of dumb mistakes. Some men have accused God of making mistakes over and over again.

Illus: After Adam was created, there he was in the Garden of Eden. Of course it wasn't good for him to be all by himself, so the Lord came down to visit. "Adam," He said, "I have a plan to make you much, much happier. I'm going to give you a companion, a helpmate for you, someone who will fulfill your every need and desire. Someone who will be faithful, loving, and obedient. Someone who will make you feel wonderful every day of your life." Adam was stunned. "That sounds incredible."

"Well, it is," replied the Lord. "But it doesn't come for free. In fact this is someone so special that it's going to cost you and arm and a leg."

"That's a pretty high price to pay," said Adam. "What can I get for a rib?"

God has never made a mistake, but we have certainly made our share of them.

God was telling Israel that THEY NEEDED TO LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKE AND NOT MAKE THE SAME ONE AGAIN!

As we look at ourselves, we can easily make mistakes because we judge people OUTWARDLY, while God judges people INWARDLY!