29 SEPTEMBER

APPEARANCE CAN BE DECEPTIVE

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

God and man see outward appearance but only God sees the inner thoughts of man. Hence God does not judge by appearance alone but by faith and character.

There was a time when long and full hair for women was God’s natural gift alone but now any woman can have same and change at will, with all the different artificial hairs. Even the age of white hair on the elderly is fast disappearing, as dyeing the hair or shaving off completely for men has become fashionable. With lots of body creams and gadgets to enhance one’s looks, many now look younger, prettier and better. Also, with the current acceptance of gay couples in many parts of the world, some males dress and act like females and vice versa and many are deceived. However, none of these things can give an insight into the real character of anyone. As Shakespeare wrote, “There is no art to find the mind’s construction on the face.”

David’s brothers had the looks and stature of a king and Prophet Samuel was deceived but he obediently listened to God, till David–the one who had the heart of God’s type of king–came in. Appearances may be changed at will but the inner man can only truly be changed by the new birth in Christ. The inner man is what gives us eternal value. Should we then not spend more time to develop and improve our heart’s attitude and relationship with God than we spend on our physical looks?

ACTION: Spiritual “beauty” is much more important and enduring than physical beauty. Choose to pay more attention to it.

PRAYER: Cleanse me, Lord, of all deception and hypocrisy, and mould me into the person you desire me to be.