The heart is deceitful above all things . . . who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, . . . even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer. 17:9, 10.

The human heart or mind is the most subtle, the most crafty and deceptive thing we know. From time to time we persuade ourselves that we are doing right even when we are doing wrong. We rationalize our problems and justify our departure from the truth.

Who can tear off the mask? Who can get us to see and acknowledge ourselves as God sees us? Who can heal our hearts? We cannot, but God can. God searches our hearts to their very depth. Ultimately God will expose and reveal exactly what our hearts are like.

We may lay stress on outward conformity to what the Bible and the church require. We may he faithful in Sabbath observance. The main question is: what are we like inside? The fact that God really knows can he very disturbing, or it can be encouraging.

Many sincere Christians are unhappily placed in life—people with a defect of appearance, a feeling of inferiority, a lack of charm, an awkwardness or timidity, that prevents them from showing themselves as they would like to be. They seem always to take a back seat. They never push themselves forward, never win the esteem of others. Around them are others with more talent and poise, an easier communication. Those who feel inferior seem unable to say half the kind things they think or feel, or to do the service that others do. Other faces and manners draw a better commendation. Their charm instantly attracts others. We all crave to be that kind of person. But we shall have to he content with the fact that God knows our hearts, our motives, our intentions. We need not fear that God will judge us by our acts that are so limited and inhibited by uncontrollable conditions.

The Lord looks on the heart. What constancy, what devotion, what honest, what purity, what allegiance, will He find there? That is the question. God does not judge our lives on a point system, but records our compatibility and oneness of heart with Him.