The Heart of the Matter

“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

Sometimes we spend so much time asking God to change what is happening around us that we forget to ask Him what He wants to change within us.

We pray, “Lord, change this situation” or “Lord, change that person.”

“Lord, take this struggle away.” or “Lord, make this circumstance different.”

Did we ever stop and think that God is trying to get our attention about something deeper?

What if He wants to get to the heart of the matter?

God Looks Beyond What Everyone Else Can See

1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that people tend to look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. We can become very good at managing the outside while ignoring what is happening on the inside. We can change our behavior without changing our desires and clean up our appearance without allowing God to cleanse our hearts. It’s also possible to ask God to remove the consequences of our choices while never surrendering the root of the problem.

God sees deeper. He sees and knows the heart of man.

Psalm 139:23–24 says:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

That is a courageous prayer. It isn't simply, God, fix my circumstances. It is, God, search ME.

Show me what I don't want to see. Reveal what I have tried to hide and expose the places where I have become comfortable. Show me where my desires have taken control, and then Lord, lead me in Your way.

Sometimes the Problem Isn't What We Think It Is

There have been seasons in my own life when I prayed for God to change the outward circumstances, only to discover that He wanted to do a deeper work in me. For years, I prayed about my weight. I wanted God to help me lose weight, and I experienced repeated cycles of losing weight and gaining it back. Eventually, I reached a point where I knew something had to change, not simply on the outside, but on the inside.

I had to stop asking God only to remove the consequence and start asking Him to reveal the root. I had to be honest with myself before God. That wasn't easy.

Sometimes the hardest prayer we can pray is: “Lord, show me my part in this.” 

When God reveals something in our hearts, we can no longer pretend we don't see it.

Remembering that conviction isn't condemnation isn’t always easy.

When God reveals something, He isn't exposing us to destroy us. He is inviting us to surrender it so He can transform us.

God Wants Transformation, Not Just Modification

Romans 12:2 says:

“And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Notice the word transformed. God isn't interested in helping us simply look different for a little while. He wants to make us different from the inside out.

Sometimes we want God to change our behavior without changing our thinking. We want freedom without surrender and the blessing without transformation.

God loves us too much to simply make the outside look better while leaving the inside untouched.

What Is Happening in Your Heart?

Proverbs 4:23 tells us:

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

That means our heart matters. Our motives, our thoughts, and our desires all matter.

What we allow to take root inside us eventually finds its way into our lives.

Maybe you're asking God to change your marriage, but He is asking you to examine your heart.

Maybe you're asking Him to change your circumstances, but He is teaching you contentment.

Maybe you're asking Him to remove a temptation, but He is teaching you self-control.

Maybe you're asking Him to change someone else, but He is showing you something that needs to change in you.

Maybe you're asking God for a different life, while He is asking you to surrender the life you have completely to Him.

There are things in this world that we cannot control. There are things other people do that are not our fault and circumstances that are genuinely painful and unfair.

But even when we cannot control what happens around us, we can invite God to work on what is happening within us. That is where transformation begins.

Two Action Steps

1. Ask God to search your heart before asking Him to change your circumstances.

Spend some quiet time with Psalm 139:23–24. 

Pray:

“Lord, search my heart. Show me what I need to surrender. Reveal anything in me that is keeping me from walking fully with You. Give me the courage to face what You reveal and the grace to surrender it.”

And then listen. Don't rush past the uncomfortable places. Sometimes the answer to our prayer begins with God revealing something we didn't realize was there.

2. Ask God to deal with the root, not just the symptom.

Think about one struggle that keeps repeating in your life. Dig deep and try to find what is underneath this? What is the attitude, or thought pattern feeding this struggle?

Bring it to God, but don’t just ask Him to take it away.

Pray:

“Lord, what are You trying to change in me through this?”

That prayer can change everything.

Let God Make You New

Second Corinthians 5:17 says:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

The beautiful thing about surrendering our hearts to God is that He doesn't leave us where He finds us. He makes us new. God doesn't simply cover our broken places; He begins restoring them. He doesn't simply modify our behavior; He slowly transforms our hearts. God wants us to be changed by His presence.

So today, maybe the prayer isn't, “God, change everything around me.”

Maybe the prayer should be, “God, start with me. Search my heart and renew my mind.

Correct my desires and heal what needs healing. Convict what needs conviction and remove what doesn't belong. Strengthen what is weak and lead me in Your everlasting way.”

Sometimes the greatest miracle isn't when God changes the situation.

The greatest miracle could be when God changes us in the middle of it.

That is the heart of the matter.

A song that beautifully reflects this message is “Refiner” by Maverick City Music.

The heart of the song is surrender, allowing God to purify and refine what is within us. It fits the question this devotional asks: “Lord, are You only changing what I can see, or are You changing who I am?” Sometimes we don't need another temporary fix. We need the Refiner.

When we are willing to surrender ourselves completely to Him, God can begin doing a work that no outward change could ever accomplish.

Heavenly Father,

Today I come before You and ask You to search my heart, not just the parts I am comfortable showing You, but every hidden place. Show me the things I have ignored and the attitudes I have justified. Show me the habits I have excused and the desires that have taken Your place.

Lord, forgive me for the times I have asked You to change everything around me while refusing to allow You to change me. Help me to stop focusing only on the symptoms and allow You to deal with the root. Renew my mind and cleanse my heart. Change my desires and give me the strength to surrender what I have tried to control.

Where there is sin, bring repentance.

Where there is hurt, bring healing.

Where there is fear, bring faith.

Where there is pride, bring humility.

Where there is bitterness, bring forgiveness.

Where there is weakness, give me Your strength.

Father, when You reveal something in me that needs to change, help me remember that conviction is not rejection. You reveal it because You love me enough to transform me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. I don't just want You to change my circumstances, I want You to change my heart.

Make me more like Jesus. Let my outward life be a reflection of the inward work You are doing within me. Thank You for loving me enough to go deeper and never giving up on me.

Thank You that when I surrender my heart to You, You are faithful to continue the work You have begun.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Author: Priscilla Campbell 

Editor: Christine Platt