The Heart Matters
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.” —1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT) YAHWEH delights to set truth deep in our spirits. So break down any barriers between you and our heavenly Father and invite Him to come into the hidden places of your heart and teach you wisdom.
The source of God’s pleasure is not in our performance or the sacrifices we might offer to Him. Let our sacrifice be a humble spirit. YAHWEH will not reject a humble and repentant heart. (See Psalms 51:16-17 TPT/GNT) But everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD. (Proverbs 16:5a NASB1995)