🗓 03.07.2025 | A Heart That Seeks – God Meets You | HEART ANCHOR

🌱 God Looks Deeper – Why Your Heart Matters More Than Your Abilities

📖 1 Chronicles 28:9

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📖 Bible Text

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing soul. For the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”
– 1 Chronicles 28:9

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🌿 Introduction

Have you ever wondered if you’re good enough for God? Maybe not religious enough, not strong enough in faith, not perfect enough in behavior. The good news is: God isn’t looking for your performance first – He’s looking for your heart. In 1 Chronicles 28:9, King David gives his son Solomon a deep, almost intimate admonition. A message that still speaks directly to our hearts today:

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing soul. For the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9

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✨ Devotional

David is nearing the end of his life. He has known highs and lows – victories and guilt, praise and repentance. And now he speaks to his son, the future king. His words are not political advice or military tactics. It’s not about power, but about the heart.

He’s essentially saying: “Solomon, if you understand one thing, let it be this: your success doesn’t depend on how big your kingdom becomes, but on how real your relationship with God is.”

David speaks of the heart – of authenticity, devotion, and the decision to truly know God. It’s not enough to know about God. You are called to know Him. And then – to serve Him, not out of duty, but with joy.

God doesn’t look at what people see. He sees deeper. Ellen White writes:

“God does not regard the outward appearance. He is not impressed by what man possesses or how he is viewed by others. He looks at the heart and asks: What is the condition of your soul?”
(Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 43)

If you seek Him – He will be found. That’s not a “maybe” – it’s a promise. God isn’t hiding. He’s waiting for you to open your heart and invite Him in. And when you do, you will find Him – more deeply than you ever imagined.

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📝 Story – “The Boy with the Wooden Heart”

Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Lian. He lived in a village where everyone had a shining heart made of gold. But Lian’s heart was different – it was made of wood. It didn’t shine. The other children laughed at him. Even the adults looked at him with pity.

Lian often asked his mother, “Why did God give me a wooden heart?”
She answered, “Maybe because He wants to remind you that what matters most isn’t the shine – but that your heart is real.”

One day, a wise old man came to the village. He was blind, but when he met Lian, he said: “Your heart – I feel its warmth. It may be made of wood, but it beats sincerely.”

Then he added: “True beauty isn’t seen with the eyes. It’s recognized by what comes from within.”

From that day on, Lian began to trust God – with his wooden heart. And the more he prayed, opened up, and served others, the more his heart began to glow – not like the others, but with a warm, deep light.

In the end, it wasn’t the golden heart that moved God – but the genuine one.

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🧠 Reflection – What does this mean for you?

• God wants your heart – not a performance.
  He doesn’t care about perfect words or religious masks. If you come to Him honestly, He welcomes you.

• God searches – but doesn’t condemn.
  He knows your thoughts – even the dark ones. And yet He invites you: “Seek Me – and I will be found.”

• Faith begins with relationship.
  Not with achievement, but with truly getting to know Him. God doesn’t want to be just a “follower” – He wants to be your friend.

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💡 Action Steps for Today

• What does my heart really think about God?
  Take time to be honest before God – no mask.

• Where am I seeking God – or have I stopped seeking?
  Start the journey again. He promises to be found.

• Am I willing to serve God with a willing heart – even while I still have questions?

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🙏 Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven,
You see my heart, my innermost being. You know where I’m honest – and where I’m hiding.
I don’t want to just know about You through stories or tradition. I want to truly know You.
Help me to seek You – with all my heart. And when I do, Lord, let Yourself be found.
Make my heart ready – for real encounter, for true surrender, for a life with You.
Amen.

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