‘People looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart’. This was the instruction given to Samuel by God. How true this is. Don’t judge a book by its cover as said in today’s context. We look at the way a person dresses, behaves in public, mannerisms, etiquette, personality; but for our Heavenly Father all of this is immaterial. In the New Testament, the same was said of the disciples. They went against the Jewish tradition and broke the law on the Sabbath. But all of these laws were only to beautify the outward appearance and not to cleanse the heart. It seems that from today’s readings, God is wanting to show us that His ways are not our ways. We can be so engrossed in fulfilling our obligations, reading out prayers; but today we are called to go a step further and to examine our hearts. Where do we stand in our relationship with God? Are we trying to earn our identity from God by doing things for Him or do we see ourselves as seated in Heavenly places.

Prayer: Abba Father, I repent for the moments of wanting to perform for You and choose instead to walk in the identity you have given me. Amen