Search My Heart, God

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading, titled Search My Heart God, was written by Jasmine Go. To reduce food waste, a supermarket chain in Singapore sells slightly blemished fruits and vegetables at lower prices. In one year, this initiative saved more than 850 tons, or 771,000 kilograms, of produce that previously would have been thrown out for not meeting aesthetic standards. Shoppers soon learned that outward appearances, scars, and quirky shapes don't affect flavor and nutritional value. What's on the outside doesn't always determine what's on the inside. In 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel learned a similar lesson when he was sent by God to anoint the next king of Israel. When he saw Eliab, the firstborn son of Jesse, Samuel thought he was the chosen one. But God said, Do not consider his appearance or his height. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Out of Jesse's eight sons, God chose the youngest, David, who was tending his father's sheep to be the next king. God is more concerned with our hearts than with outward credentials, the school we attended, what we earn, or how much we volunteer. Jesus taught his disciples to focus on purifying their hearts of selfish and evil thoughts, saying what comes out of a person is what defiles them. Just as Samuel learned not to consider outward appearances, may we, with God's help, examine our hearts, our thoughts and intentions in all that we do. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from 1 Samuel 16, verses 4 through 12. Samuel did what the Lord said.

When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, Do you come in peace? Samuel replied, Yes, in peace I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.

Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me. Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord. But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at.

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, The Lord has not chosen this one either. Jesse then had Shema pass by, but Samuel said, Nor has the Lord chosen this one. Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, The Lord has not chosen these. So he asked Jesse, Are these all the sons you have? There is still the youngest, Jesse answered.

He is tending the sheep. Samuel said, Send for him. We will not sit down until he arrives. So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, Rise and anoint him.

This is the one. Let's pray. Lord, help us to shift our focus away from mere outward appearances and guide us towards embracing a life that truly honors you. May our lives be a testament to the transformative power of your love, inspiring those around us to seek a deeper connection with you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening. My name is Toni Collier, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.