Look Into My Heart, Lord

While watching Little House on the Prairie Tuesday, September 30, 2025, I watched the episode Be My Friend. Laura Ingalls prayed to the Lord, she said, I know you can look into my heart, Lord. Her words resonated with me. As I reflect on this profound statement, I recall the scripture in 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Laura had found a baby by the creek and could not understand how a mother could abandon her child. Without releasing any spoilers, her sincere prayer to care for this baby was quite profound. How often do we experience an unbelievable situation only to discover the true motives of our hearts? Laura only wanted what was best for this baby, though she was only a child herself.

What lengths would you go to so others would not recognize the true intentions of your heart? When given the opportunity, how many of us would look at the circumstances with our natural eyes and judge somebody based on our misconceptions of their actions? Like God did in selecting the second king of Israel, he saw someone nobody else even considered.

In these unusual times, people can be selfish, unthoughtful, and without empathy. Judging others is swift, while their words are like a double-edged sword, intended to wound and destroy. However, I prefer to approach things from a different perspective. I need to know the reason behind their actions to understand them. Dear One, it is unwise to jump to conclusions and draw our own ending to their story. Besides, we do not know what caused them to do as they did. Until we hear their story, we have no insight into their plight. And since everybody has fallen short of the glory of God, we definitely have no right to judge. (Matthew 7:1-3)

In Laura’s quest to find this friend, she was passionate and relentless. Like Samuel was in selecting Israel's new king, God sent him to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, to choose the next in line. One by one, the sons came forward, but none was whom God had ordained to be king. In 1 Samuel Chapter 16, we read a profound statement by God that teaches us that our motives are far different from His. We tend to judge based on their physical appearance. It is likewise their social status, credentials, and even their achievements. Still, God taught us that the best choice comes when we observe their heart posture. Though Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that the heart is deceitful, it is within our hearts that people see us for who we really are.

Dear One, what does your heart posture tell others? When God looks into your heart, does it reveal that you are kind, full of grace and mercy? Or does it show you are selfish and think only of your interests? Philippians 2:3-4 encourages us to think of the interests of others above our own. Laura did this without considering the consequences. She was on a mission impossible, but trusted the Lord to lead her. Beloved, He is the grandest guide ever.

Such a quest can humble us and soften our hearts, as the true story unfolds and we discover that hardships can lead someone to make the ultimate sacrifice to save a soul. Where you once saw dimly because your vision did not know all the details, can you open your heart to listen to them? Like Laura, will you offer compassion, forgiveness, and grace? Or will you judge them and send them on their way? Dear One, you may have today, but tomorrow can bring change that turns your world upside down. You could be financially stable at this moment; however, within hours, an unexpected twist could leave you bankrupt.

Even Samuel recognized that we should never judge anyone based on who we think they are, because the person we overlook is the one God chooses to do the unthinkable. David was an unlikely candidate for their new king. He had no military experience. He was not even part of the royal clan. In fact, he was not even the next one in line to be king. God does not see like what we see, but He sees beyond our finite vision, and best of all, the Lord never makes mistakes. We must ask him to look into our hearts and whatever does not bring Him glory to purify it and make us more like Him. However, for this transformation, we must submit and acknowledge our wrongdoings and repent. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Laura knew her life would never be the same because she learned what true love was. It is not what any of you may think, but all because of a bottle that floated down a creek and into her heart. David knew his life had just begun, though as a shepherd boy, God had been preparing him for the most significant role of his life. Surely, his life would never be the same, either. Lord, look into my heart because you know its true intentions. I want all that I do to represent You. I will take on Your compassion for souls and Your love for humanity. I pray today that I will have more empathy and no more condemnation due to a lack of knowledge.  

I pray this powerful message in the song, What You Could Do With Me by Josh Wright, stirs your heart to realize the Lord can do the impossible with a heart surrendered to His will.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: Pay Attention to People

TIME FOR REFLECTION: How does a pure heart help you to embrace a new identity in Christ? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Hit that heart and share this inspiring devotional.

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