July 9

1 Samuel 16:7

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.

All that we can do is judge a man by his outward appearance. If he looks clean, strong, intelligent, etc. we are impressed. But God is not limited to the appearance of things. His vision penetrates to the reality of things; to the heart itself. There are deceivers who can “turn on the charm” and fool nearly everyone. But the Bible says that there is not a thought in our head that He is not completely aware of. Matthew Henry says, “We can tell how men look, but God can tell what they are.” In view of this, let us be more concerned with what we truly are, than what others think we are. Let us be true followers of the Lamb of God, being more concerned with what God knows than with what men think.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

"...what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30