“The LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).”

This is a truth we need to come back to again and again because we so easily forget it. God said this to Samuel as he had been sent to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king of Israel to replace Saul. As he arrived and set his eyes on Jesse’s first born Eliab, Samuel assumed from his appearance that he must surely be the Lord’s choice. But the LORD looks on the heart and other plans.

Our passage in Luke this week contrasts the scribes who were quite impressive outwardly, but spiritually bankrupt inwardly with a poor unnamed widow who couldn’t have been much more unimpressive in the eyes of the world, but inwardly was a beautiful example of sincere, humble faith and devotion to God. And we are challenged to ask ourselves where we fall on the spectrum between the scribes and the widow.

This Sunday Kenny Clark will be preaching Luke 20:45-21:4 and Walt Harrah will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And for heart preparation, this earnest prayer from the end of Psalm 73 is a good start.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)

We would also encourage you to join us again at 6pm for our monthly evening Lord’s Supper service. Arvind Balaram, one of our Grace partners who ministers in New Delhi, India will be preaching our Lord’s Supper devotional and he and his wife, Karisa, will share more about their work during our family time.

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

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SONG OF THE WEEK

Here and Now by Songs of Grace

Lead us beyond mere formal duty
Show us your captivating beauty
‘Til we in awe and worship humbly bow