His Beauty for My Ugliness

Scripture:  I Samuel 16:7 -  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

When God wanted a king after His heart and having rejected King Saul, God sent Samuel to pick one from the family of Jesse.  As Samuel examined each one and looking only at the outward appearance, God told him “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

There is a tree call the Magarey that grows for years with coarse leaves. It puts out sharp thorns and is uglier as it grows. But suddenly it shoots up into these beautiful, tall and thick flowers. The possibility of all that beauty in that ugly tree is only seen over the passing of time.  As a work in progress, the beauty of Christ is only seen in us over time as we are conformed to the image of Christ from the inside out. Sometimes we really think that we are okay at a certain season of life, but there will always be room for growth.

A deceitful heart (Jer.17:9), a foolish heart (Prov. 12:23), a proud heart (Prov. 21:4) and on and on is how God describes the condition of the inward man. Yet, the power of the Holy Spirit Who lives within is working with that ugliness in the inner man.  The maturity of a pure heart (Matt. 5:8), a broken and contrite heart (Ps. 34:18), a tender heart and on and on will show over time in our character a reflection of the beauty of Christ.

God is still looking for a man or woman after His heart.  Though some thorns will always be there, I’m still saying “Yes, Lord to Your will.” Though I want change “immediately,” I’m still saying that “You have begun a good work in me and will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil.1:6)

Prayer: Thank You Lord that the ugliness of my heart is changed moment by moment as I yield to Your will and way. As You perfect that which concerns me, I am so in awe as to Your perfect wisdom in all that You are doing to make me look more like Jesus from the inside out.  

(by Cheryl Torain)