A fine outward appearance - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

The Good Seed - Thursday, March 10, 2023
by GBV Dillenburg GmbH

Details

A fine outward appearance

The Lord...will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts.
1 Corinthians 4:5.

A fine outward appearance
In 2016 the department of parks and green areas in Geneva had to fell a beech tree despite its magnificence. The tree was corroded with fungus. Why destroy such a beautiful tree? That beech tree was in danger of collapsing under its own weight and of affecting the surrounding trees.

Just like that beech tree, we, too, can make all around admire us. But doesn't our outward appearance often conceal sombre secrets within us?

When the Lord Jesus came to earth, He did not seek to impress anyone. He lived as One who "had no form or comeliness" (Isaiah 53:2). There was nothing in His appearance to attract attention. It was His words and deeds that were conspicuous, revealing true goodness. His words fulfilled their aim, bringing about great deliverance in many cases.

The way the Lord regarded each of His creatures differed from men's views. The latter see only the appearance; He sees the heart (cf. 1 Samuel 16:7) "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart" (Jeremiah 17:9.10). Man's heart is corrupted by lying, pride, hatred and wickedness. Will God act regarding mankind as did the gardener in Geneva? No! He invites us to come to Jesus. By sacrificing his perfect life on the cross Jesus has settled the question of the evil that is in us and from which we cannot free ourselves alone. Whoever believes in Him is cleansed, sanctified and justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:11).

Today's reading: Exodus 36:14-34 Â· Luke 16:19-31

More From Our Daily Devotional Archives

The LORD is near
for Saturday, December 21, 2013
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His waysBehold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the...More

Open Heavens
for Saturday, February 8, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

ACCEPTED TIME 2

God is never too early and He is never too late. His timetable is set on purpose; the purpose is not only for your sake but also for His. In all things, His name shall be glorified. No doubt, He would have been glorified healing Lazarus of his sickness, but this can't compare to raising him from the dead after four...More

Open Heavens
for Monday, February 28, 2017
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

IMPEDIMENTS TO PRAYER

Read:
. He is looking for those who are ready and committed to walking in His footsteps. God is holy, and He has called us to holy living. We are to do as He commands because we are the light of the world. God in Heaven is glorified when our light shines in the midst of the darkness of this world. If you...More

The Good Seed
for Monday, January 4, 2022
by GBV Dillenburg GmbH

Standing in the limelight

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern for all who are going to believe on him for everlasting life.
1 Timothy 1:15.16.

Standing in the...More