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(The devotional below was selected from a tract
written by P. G. Mickletz.)
Outward appearances mean much to man, but nothing
to God. This profound Bible truth is stated in the Old
Testament: "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his
countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have
refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man
looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the
heart" I Sam. 16:7.
While man places great value on things which reflect his
material status, God desires that we seek inward purity, an
honorable character, and spiritual nobility.
Man may glory in his ancestry and family background. But this
does not impress God.
Man may delight in his physical prowess, mental skills, or
social prestige. Again, God is not impressed.
The finest clothes, the newest automobiles, the most luxuriously
furnished homes, and the most beautifully landscaped yards are
definite symbols to man of his material success. Yet these
contribute nothing to his standing before God.
Human learning, higher education, and higher and higher academic
degrees may exalt the wisdom of man. Man's spiritual rank before
God, however, is not determined by his intellectual development
or amount of formal schooling.
No, the Lord does not see as man sees. The Lord is concerned
with man's humility, not pride; his character, not reputation;
his sacrifice, not wealth; his service to others, not
preeminence over them; his spirituality, not physical
attractiveness or strength of body; his brotherly love, not
ancestral stock; and his devotion to the teachings of Christ,
and not clothing, automobiles, homes, furniture, college
degrees, or fame.
Pride indeed is the deadliest and most destructive of all sins.
The Bible teaches that the "proud in heart" are an abomination
to the Lord. (Prov. 16:5).
We may impress ourselves and others with material success, but
they become mere flimsy veneer before the powerful, penetrating
eye of Almighty God, from whom nothing is hidden,"for the Lord
seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
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