A fine outward appearance - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

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 · Luke 16:19-31