God's Mirror

 

"Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees for man looks at the outward appearance but the LORD looks at the heart." 

- 1 Samuel 16:7

It is fairly easy for one to apply this truth when talking about assessing others. Many keep these words in mind when considering someone as a friend, a leader, or as a spouse. But how many of us remember this when we evaluate ourselves? For do not many of us arrange our outward appearance in a flawless fashion? Spend a good deal of time, primping in front of the mirror, sometimes unknowingly telling ourselves how beautiful we are. I say unknowingly, for some do not really say it to their reflection yet rather feel a certain deep and even proud satisfaction with what is seen.

There is a young woman I know who admitted that as a young girl, the mirror made her struggle. She often stood in front of a full-length mirror, admiring herself from every angle, flipping her hair, practicing her smile. Then she would go out into the world, her heart bursting with pride that she was indeed a beautiful creature. How sad that she often spent more time with a comb and a lipstick than with her Bible and pen! She had forgotten that God looks not at the outward appearance. He looks at the heart. If only she had known that which each minute she spent, admiring her own reflection, she was becoming uglier and uglier in the sight of God. She may have be a gorgeous queen in the eyes of the world, but in God's mirror, she had become a hideous beast. Thankfully, the young girl was convicted of her seemingly harmless sin, and now has Bible verses covering her mirror, to remind her of what really mattered before God.

Yet we must also keep in mind that it is not evil to be beautiful, for Queen Esther herself was praised for her beauty. Yet we shout take note that she did not treasure her beauty as if it were the most important thing for her. She knew that her beauty did not matter to God. Only her heart did.

Beware the Proud Heart

"But when he [King Uzziah] was strong, his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God." - 2 Chronicles 26:16


 



King Uzziah began ruling Judah when he was only sixteen years old. And it was told that "he did what was right in the sight of the LORD". And God made him prosper as long as he obeyed. With God's help, he successfully defeated the Philistines, the Arabians, and the Meunites. This king prospered and became strong and powerful, and his fame spread through the land. Uzziah, however, forgot where his prosperity came from, and pride settled in his heart. His heart was 'lifted up", and he transgressed against he LORD.

This ought to encourage the weak and remind them that in weakness, there is more grace. When one is weak, it is easier to have clear understanding of our frailty and God's power and sovereignty. When we are weakest, that's when God often reveals to us that we are nothing apart from Him. Knowing and understanding your own weakness paves the way for humility and trust in God. The weaker we are, the more we see and experience God's goodness and mercy. God has shown much goodness to those who have realize their nothingness and weakness before a great and awesome God.

This should also be a warning to the strong. Strength comes solely from God, but it often sets us on the road to pride. How many great men have been filled with pride because of their strength? David numbered his men and was punished for it. 

Sweet Destructive Words

" Not as pleasing men, but God who tests hearts...for neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know."




It is the tendency of many Christians to speak only words which are flattering, instead of condemning. But we must keep in mind that even Christ spoke harshly when needed. Why should we fear man in rebuking them? Is it not better to risk their friendship because of the truth, than send them to Hell with flattering words, sweet as honey, yet destructive as poison.