A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford
He looked trustworthy. We thought he was a good man. On television he dressed well; he looked rugged and dependable. He answered questions about the Bible with spontaneity and intelligence and clarity. He was very persuasive about spiritual concerns. We admired him so much. But when he died, it was discovered his private life was a cesspool of corruption and filth.
The first (and perhaps the only) multimillionaire I ever knew did not lean on his Ferrari automobile in his Armani suit, nor use dollar bills to light his cigarettes. Rather, he was actually a friendly and kindly man, casual and fond of making puns. We went out for a meal with him, and he ordered a hot dog! He loved the Lord passionately, and his benevolences were so quiet, few people knew of his great generosity. His wealth was not an uncomplicated blessing, because he was never sure whether people liked him for himself or his money.
God tells us that we human beings too often judge people by the surface things—their material possessions, or their lack of them. We tend to value someone’s success, their money, their physical attributes, their intelligence, but distain others for their lack. I would tell you, “Of course I value integrity more than any superficial qualities.” But it’s a real human failing I too can be guilty of.
The children of Israel asked God for a king. God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem to choose the next king from the sons of Jesse. The oldest son, Eliab, stepped forward first. The Scripture says, “Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, ‘Surely this is the Lord’s annointed.’” But Samuel received a strong rebuke from God.
“Don’t judge by his appearance or height,
for I have rejected him.
The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them.
People judge by outward appearance,
But the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
The Apostle Peter says the same thing to Christian women. “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God” (1 Peter 3:3,4 nlt). So we are warned by God to be careful to look at a person’s heart, the essentials, not the externals.
But there’s a sweet corollary to this truth.. The God who sees our hearts also knows when we’re trying to do right and it doesn’t seem to turn out well.
I once planned an event for children with the expectation that it would be a pleasurable, instructive time to learn about Jesus. It didn’t turn out at all like I had hoped. The children came in droves. They were wildly enthusiastic, but they were rowdy. The event was chaotic and noisy. I felt a total failure. But God saw my heart. He knew what I’d hoped to accomplish. And, who knows? Perhaps God’s work, invisible to my eyes, was done in some hearts that day.
We really can’t know, just from seeing someone’s facial expression or body language, what lies underneath in their heart. They may appear to be sullen or supercilious, but be sincerely trying to do right. An expression that looks to us like rebellion might actually be a look of shame or disappointment. We ought not to assume we know someone’s heart just by their countenance.
God looks on the heart, so He knows what we really are. And I revel in the joy that He looks on me with love and compassion. May He help me to look, with that same compassion and love. on the hearts of those people I meet today who need Him so desperately.