Day 4: Heart Over Hype
by Simon Netznik
Scripture
"Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:6b-7
Application
In ancient times, the trumpet wasn't just a musical instrument—it was a call to focus and give attention for all those in its wake. Whether signaling the start of a battle, a king’s arrival, or a holy moment, the sound of a trumpet commanded the eyes of people. Similarly, the word "behold" in Scripture serves as a verbal trumpet. When we encounter it in the Bible, it’s like a divine interruption, telling us to stop, look, and give our attention to what comes next.
In worship, both personally and corporately, our lives should echo this sense of holy interruption. When we declare God’s goodness, it should be like the sound of a trumpet, a “behold” that stops everything and turns hearts and minds toward Him. As we draw attention to God, we must remember that He’s not impressed by our outward displays or performances. As 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, God sees beyond the surface and looks straight at our hearts.
This means that our worship, or our “trumpet blast,” must be authentic. Are we truly focused on God, or are we simply going through the motions? Just as a trumpet blast demands attention, our worship should be a genuine reflection of our love and reverence for God—something that stops the world around us and says, “Behold, this is worth your focus.”
The Lord can snag our attention in a variety of ways. He can speak to us through the written Word of Scripture or direct words to us during our personal, private worship time; He even orchestrates people and circumstances in our daily life through which we can learn to recognize His will and voice.
Though easy to get caught up in the “hype” of corporate worship as a religious or emotional exercise, believers should see and experience further into the spiritual realm. Our realization of who God is and what He can do should lead us to prioritize our own character and identity in light of the Gospel.
Let our worship be like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), proclaiming the truth about who God is and the Life we can now live because of Jesus.
Reflection
- Consider a recent moment where you felt unsuccessful. How might God's definition of success from 1 Samuel 16 and Colossians 3 change your perspective on that experience?
- Think about the areas where you lead or influence others (like a “trumpet” player in the Kingdom of God). What changes might you need to make in your leadership, service, or personal life to prioritize your heart over hype?
Prayer
“Lord, I pray that my worship would be like a trumpet blast—a bold, attention-commanding declaration of Your greatness. Help me to live in a way that says “behold” to the world around me, pointing them to You. Let my focus be on honoring You with a sincere heart, not just going through the motions. May my life be a true reflection of Your glory, drawing others to stop and see how amazing You are. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”