June 18 – Luke 16:1-17
Dear Father, we come before You in praise and with thanksgiving for You give us our ‘But God’ moments. You orchestrate our lives for Your glory. May we in our quiet time recognize You for who You are: our Lord God, the God of Israel.
First, do your own quiet time and 4R journaling. When you are completed, come back here for the lesson.
Request God’s help
Read Luke 16:1-17
Record a verse that stands out to you
Respond to God
But God knows your heart.
Here is yet another ‘But God’ moment that was directed to those who do not reeeally follow God. This time, it was directed towards the Pharisees. They who were trying to justify themselves before mere men and thus by doing so were not submitting to God’s righteousness. How very much foolish! They might be able to fool humans with their false façade, but they can’t fool God!
Jesus said, in verse 15, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” The Pharisees could not know hearts; with one rebuttal Jesus discredited them. All the knowledge in the world will not necessarily bring us closer to God. Here they were, the most knowledgeable people in quite probably the whole world on all things God and yet they missed Him, they missed Jesus. Jesus was telling them that while they may not know Him, HE knows THEIR hearts.
And yet, at the same time, the message was clear for those within ear shot of it; those who had been bound by rules, laws and regulations? Their daunting trek to God was just that, on the verge of unattainable, undoable. And there was Jesus, who steps in and says, “But God knows your heart.” He surely did not say head (though we know he does)!
Let’s take a look at some verses really quickly about God knowing our hearts.
1 Samuel 16:7, God told Eliab that He looks at the heart, not outward appearances. The Pharisees were scholars, surely they would have known this. And in 1 Chronicles 28:9, God says to serve Him with our whole hearts and willing mind; a heart and mind to do God’s will. God searches our hearts. Proverbs 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Again another opportunity for remembering that it’s our hearts that He wants.
Isn’t that so comforting? Even Paul wanted to want what his heart wanted but could not because his sinful body would not let him. And God knows that struggle, He knows what our heart’s desire is, and He knows how sin nature can get in the way.
But God. He knows our hearts, with an absolute knowing.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Psalm 139:23-24
(Further Reading: 1 Samuel 16; 1 Chronicles 28; Proverbs 21)
God most reverent, we praise You! You are absolute, You are steadfast and You are true. On You we build our faith, in You we abide.
What’s next?
As the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, share what He has laid on your heart.
Then join us again tomorrow for the next commentary.
My Verse: Luke 16:15, “And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”
1 Comment. Leave new
Luke 16:10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
Father, keep me faithful in little things like obeying speed limits and going back into the store if I discover a grocery item in the cart that was overlooked and not paid for – even when it will make me late. Help me to do these things for You, Lord God, who sees all things at all times. I’m so glad even the little things matter to You!