Judge from the Heart

Daily Reading: Exodus 28

Scripture Focus: So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord. (Exodus 28.29)

Devotional Thought: "What? Don't you care about missions?" As soon as the words were out of my mouth I regretted saying them. I had reacted in a moment of frustration, but there was no way to explain away my words. And I paid for them. Dearly. Judgment was rendered according to the evidence, and I was found wanting. How I wished that I could take back my words. But, short of that, how I desired that judgment could have come from the heart rather than the mind.

God directed Moses to prepare the priestly garments for Aaron, the High Priest. Part of those garments was a breastpiece inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. It was a breastpiece of judgment. Not a turban - indicating the mind - of judgment. Not a visor - indicating the eyes - of judgment. It was a breastpiece of judgment, indicating the heart.

What wonder that our God who sees and knows all, judges us from the heart! By the grace of God, he sees our hearts and passes judgment based on the work of Christ on our behalf. Love is the guiding principle in his judgments.

We would be well-served to judge from our hearts and not our minds nor eyes. Let love be your guide as you consider the actions and words of your brothers and sisters in Christ. If we go strictly by the evidence, we will all be found wanting. Seen in the light of the mercy of Christ, however, our judgments will be more tolerant and forgiving.

Prayer: Father, thank you for seeing me through the eyes of love. Help me to extend that same grace to others so that I'm not critical and condemning. In Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: 32 In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe. 33 So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror. 34 When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly. 35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. 36 But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. 37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. 38 Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. (Psalms 78:32-39)