“The Lord searches every heart and understands every motive.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 NIV.
A superficial life is ultimately unsatisfying.
My thoughts and comments today are about “superficiality.”
Often, people give much time and attention to outward appearances while sorely neglecting their inner life. Lives are contentedly occupied with shallow acquaintances while inattentive to meaningful relationships, sadly without knowing or noticing the difference. Content to live on a surface level only, people ignore matters holding greater importance to God and others. Busy, noisy lives may reach a mile wide, while rarely being more than mere inches deep. All of those are symptoms of a life content with externals. God intended your life for so much more. A superficial life is ultimately unsatisfying.
The Pharisees were a proud but shallow bunch, religious people content to live superficially. For that and more, Jesus spoke harshly to them. “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven.” Read Matthew 6:1/5-6 NIV. They postured more than prayed, more concerned that their prayers were seen by men than that their prayers were heard by God. They were concerned with externals such as religious behaviors that impressed others, without realizing that God concerned Himself with internals, one’s heart, thoughts, intentions, and motives.
God rejoices in sincere righteousness but rejects the superficiality of self-righteousness every time. When Samuel, the prophet, was sent to anoint a new king, God reminded Samuel, “I do not judge as man judges. Man looks at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 TEV. To the Pharisees, Jesus said, “Woe to you . . hypocrites. You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” Matthew 23:25-26 NIV. You can imagine how unpopular Jesus was with the Pharisees.
“Serve [God] with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 NIV. You cannot fully know your own heart without God’s involvement. See Jeremiah 17:9-10 NKJV. God does not intrude into your life except by your invitation.
My conclusion is this. As often as is needed to be assured of a pure heart before God, pray sincerely and humbly as did the Psalmist David: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24 NLT.
God will use your daily time with His Word to examine and cleanse your mind, soul, and spirit. Everyday, hide the Word of God in your heart. “For the Word of God is living and active . . it judges the thoughts and intents of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV. God’s intention is clear: “That He might sanctify and cleanse [you] with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present [you] to Himself . . that [you] should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:26-27 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is that you reject spiritual superficiality in all its forms.