After God's Own Heart

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 20:1-26

“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b NIV).
Today we come to a familiar portion of scripture, when Saul is rejected and David is anointed king of Israel. I’ve always loved the stories of King David. This man after God’s own heart had his weaknesses to be sure, but he was also such a great man of faith. The words he writes in the book of Psalms are some of my favorite in the Bible. They’re so honest and blunt at times, admitting sin, shame, doubt, and ultimately hope in God alone. As the prophet Samuel looked for God’s anointed one in today’s reading, he was reminded that God looks at the inward heart of a person. Outward appearance means little to Him, compared to how a person truly is on the inside. In David He found someone with a sincere heart. I wonder what He sees when He looks at me? Does He see someone distracted and downhearted, or does He see earnestness, love, and a desire to do good in this world? Does He see someone who desires to love and follow Him more than anything?
For I want to be a woman after God’s own heart. I strive for this each and every day. What about you?