September 15

Sep 15 - Today from Proverbs 15 we look at verse 3
"The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good."

"He is watching." To some this statement is a threat. Those who would plot and execute their deeds in darkness are uncomfortable with this thought. Not a physical darkness, but an 'inner' darkness - that secret place in the recesses of the soul where no one else can see. Not a physical darkness, but a 'covert' darkness - acting in areas where no one is looking. Such darkness is the place the wicked delight in, for it is in such darkness that they are able to plan and execute their self-serving deeds. They take comfort in the thought that darkness hides their intents and their deeds. "But men loved the darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19). Little do they know that even the darkness is as light to the Lord, (Psalm 139:12).

"He is watching." To some this statement is a comfort. Those who love the light and find themselves in dark places are comforted to know that even there He sees them. "Even in the deep and dark valleys where the wicked would rule, I will not fear, for I know that you are watching. That your weapon is sure (rod), and that you will rescue me (staff). In this I find comfort." (A paraphrase of Psalm 23:4). Those who walk in the light of truth see through eyes of faith.

"He is watching." It is the same Lord who is watching both. He is unchanging. The difference in the response to the fact that He is watching lies in the heart of the one being watched. Two young boys in the dark. One is in bed. In the middle of the night he thinks he hears an unfamiliar sound in his room. Fear grips his heart. "Daddy," he cries. His door cracks open and his daddy pokes his head in. "It's okay son, daddy is right here." He goes back to sleep - comforted to know that daddy is watching.
Two young boys in the dark. The other is sliding a stool over to the kitchen counter. Once there he climbs on the counter and opens the cupboard. There are the cookies. His daddy said he couldn't have any more before bedtime, but he has different ideas. "What are you doing?" His daddy is standing in the doorway watching. Fear grips his heart. Daddy is watching.
The difference in response lies in the heart of the one being watched. The one in a right relationship finds great comfort. The one in disobedience is fearful. One day all will come to realize that "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere." One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. None will be able to escape that day. None. Some will embrace that day and their knees will bow in gratitude and homage, and their confession will be a confession of great joy and jubilation. Others will be in great agony on that day and will bow in fear and trepidation. Their confession will be a choking confession of remorse. He will be the same Lord of all. The difference in response will lie in the hearts of those who were watched.
"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Col. 1:13, 14).