Sustenance #5—Sustained Resonance

Yahweh does not see as humans see; humans look at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks into the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

When Michelangelo was looking for the marble block from which to carve the David statue, he viewed several pieces that were not right. He came to a large block that had been rejected by the cutters and set aside as useless. The great artist saw something in that block that the cutters missed. All he had to do was remove the material that was inappropriate and extract the David that was hidden inside. When God chose David to be king over Israel, everyone present at the time saw only a scruffy, smelly, short shepherd, too young and inexperienced to be trusted with such a great responsibility. But God saw something else. “Yahweh has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and has appointed him as ruler over his people.” The Lord is seeking people whose heart resonates with his. He desires those about whom he can say, “This person will do all my will.” When he finds such people, the Lord uses a process similar to Michelangelo’s. He chips away the junk and exposes the spiritual beauty he saw inside. The “chipping” process is not always pleasant. Abraham, Joseph, David, and even Jesus would affirm this. But it is necessary and effective. God continues to search the earth for those whose hearts are completely his, precisely so that he might support them while he exerts his artistry to expose such beauty in an ugly world.

Creator God, make my heart like David’s. Cause me to delight in doing your will, and then clean up what people see so they will benefit, and your wisdom and skill will be fully appreciated.