1Samuel 2:3:  “Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is the God of knowledge and by Him actions are weighed.” Wow!  The importance and significance of humility is outlined here.  We do not hold our deeds up before mere men rather they are brought before the Lord God who examines both our deeds and us.  To have our actions weighed “by Him” is more than having them examined by Him.  Rather they are weighed by the representation of who He is and the evidence of Him in our actions.  For in the light and the face of God there is no one who knows more and there is no one as pure in action and in deed than the Lord, God of heaven and of earth.  It is to Him and to Him alone that we should turn to.  It is to Him and to Him alone that we should cry Holy.  It is to Him and to Him alone that we should look to for knowledge and for understanding. When the Lord weighs our actions He looks not only at what we have done, He looks not only at our deeds but He looks at, and He looks for, that which has motivated us to act.  Our actions are weighed not against what others have done or what others will do, rather they are weighed by “good” measure.  Weighed by the very goodness and righteousness of God.  Weighed by the One who upholds purity and truth.  Weighed by He who is love.  Weighed by the God of compassion, of mercy, of longsuffering and of justice.  Weighed by He who holds forgiveness and of He who forgives.  Can you stand in the light of this?  Do your deeds shine in the light of man?   Most importantly can the light, the motivation, of your deeds be seen in the light of God in whom there is ‘no’ darkness, only light (1John 1:5)? Prayer: Lord God, I thank you that you are the God of mercy and compassion and that you are love.  I ask that you would examine me in your mercy and your love – show me Lord if there is any wicked way in me.  I ask you to reveal the inner motives of my heart and that in this revelation that I would see Your heart revealed before me.  Purify my heart, Lord, I pray.  Cleanse me that I might be a reflection of You.  I pray, Lord, that in all I do today that I would reveal you as you have been revealed to me.  Scripture for Reflection: 1Samuel 2:3 Psalm 103 and 104 James 1:17-27 “Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within me.”  May I bless your Holy name.  Deborah Ritz – Recorded July 24/04              www.footstoolministries.org / www.footstoolministries.com