Listen

Who can live in your tent, Lord? Who can dwell on your holy mountain? The person who lives free of blame, does what is right, and speaks the truth sincerely; who does no damage with their talk, does no harm to a friend, doesn’t insult a neighbor.

Psalm 15:1-3

Think

When Samuel (in 1 Samuel 16), guided by God, went to look for Saul’s substitute to proclaim the new king of Israel, he was confused when he saw Eliab, one of the sons of Jesse. Eliab’s big and strong appearance seemed to have the perfect characteristics to be a king. However, God told Samuel, “Hey! Don’t be carried away by appearances, because I look at the heart.”

In the end God ended up choosing the unimaginable young David who later wrote, among others, Psalm 15. There he inspires us to “speak the truth with all our heart.” And it is precisely there, in our inner self, where there are no appearances, where thoughts and intentions are found which then take shape as they come out through our voice.

Today God encourages us to first examine our hearts, then raise our voices, to proclaim words of justice and truth, with love and respect.

Mariely Gutierrez

Question to Ponder:

When have you misjudged someone based on appearances?

Pray

God, you know the intentions of my heart. I pray that you will always guide me to speak to others with the same love that you speak to me.

Help me not to judge when I see…

Help me to see others’ hearts.

Amen.

Go

Go in peace recognizing that God’s love is sufficient.

Go trusting that Christ is your faithful friend.

Go shining with the light of the Holy Spirit.