January 9 2025
“The Lord looks at the heart”
1 Samuel 16:7
It can be hard to always view people in a gracious, loving and kind way, especially when they are people who we find unpleasant, irritating or not very kind themselves. Nevertheless this kind of outlook toward others is required of us as Christians (Ephesians 4:32). We have to bear in mind that no matter how much undeserved love and kindness we pour out to others, it will never amount to the unmerited love that God has shown us. Another way to help us in the task of loving all people, is to remain aware that each person is a complex soul and they may have been scarred by hurtful experiences. So when people behave poorly, even though we don’t excuse it, we can feel empathy for a heart that is marred enough to act in a way that pushes people away. We can also realise that if they lash out, we don’t need to take it personally, as there are other things behind it. King David did this when Shimei, a member of Saul's family, cursed and threw stones at him. Despite this hostile behavior, David instructed his men to leave Shimei alone, suggesting that God might have a purpose for allowing the cursing (2 Samuel 16:11-12). David learned the lesson many years before to look past what people show on the outside and to be more concerned with what’s going on within. When the prophet Samuel came to anoint him for his call, Samuel almost anointed one of his brothers instead, just by seeing their appearance. Samuel listened to God and chose the right person. We will get better at not making rash judgments about people too, if we learn not to judge by God’s eyes instead of our own.
Bible in a year: Genesis 17–18
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