The Eyes of God Are Upon Us Always
by David Brenneman
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are partners in our sufferings, so also you are in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction which occurred in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, who rescued us from so great a danger of death, and will rescue us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, if you also join in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons in our behalf for the favor granted to us through the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 NASB
"For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths" Proverbs 5:21 NASB
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB
In reading this morning I was considering thoughts of yesterday. A question of someone asking why does God seem so angry in the Old Testament and so loving in the New Testament. Today's Bible readings point to a deeper truth I think. It's not that God is so angry in the Old Testament it's that mankind is so stubborn as to ignore and resist all the efforts of God during that time to bring about a righteous life for His people.
We read today that the eyes of the Lord are always on everyone. Consider that and take it to heart.
Micah Tyler had a song out called "Never Been a Moment". Here's some parts of it.
I've been a sinner, I've been a saint
A little bit of both every single day
I've been lost, but somehow I've been found
There's been some pain, been some regret
Been some moments I'll never forget
But when I look back from where I'm standing now
There's never been a moment
I was not held inside Your arms
And there's never been a day when
You were not who You say You are
You're forever, it don't matter what I'm walking through
'Cause no matter where I'm going
There's never been a moment
That I was not loved by You
Loved by You
Loved by You
You've been the Rock, You've been the peace
Always showing Your good heart to me
My days are marked by grace I don't deserve, no
You've been the price I could never pay
You've been the light that has led the way
No matter where I am
Oh, I am sure
There's never been a moment
I was not held inside Your arms
And there's never been a day when
You were not who You say You are
You're forever, it don't matter what I'm walking through
'Cause no matter where I'm going
There's never been a moment
That I was not loved by You
Loved by You
Loved by You
So where could I go
That I could wander from Your side
And where could I run
And never leave behind
You're all-consuming, heart-pursuing, grace-extending, never-ending love
Your love
And there's never been a moment, no
There's never been a moment
I was not held inside Your arms
And there's never been a day when
You were not who You say You are
You're forever, it don't matter what I'm walking through
'Cause no matter where I'm going
There's never been a moment
That I was not loved
Oh, no matter where I'm going
There's never been a moment
That I was not loved by You.
Ok that was most all of it. But my Dear Reader consider that all you are going through in life it's all seen by Him with whom we have to do. Every second is before Him. Every joy, every heartbreak. Every pause, every rushed perception.
Every pain. Every disappointment. Every high and every low.
We read of the Apostles and what they endured. We shouldn't expect any less. We too are of the body of Christ if indeed we have been saved by Him ought to expect the same shouldn't we?
Philippians 4:7 NASB "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
When you read that segment from the second letter to the Corinthians read it with that verse in mind. You see it in the whole writing.
We're going to face rough times. We're going to face good times. We're going to be perplexed at times and going to think we understand at other times.
But through it all the eyes of the Lord will be upon us. Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. We can only find comfort in the arms of Jesus. We can only find hope in the name of Jesus.
Life is going to happen, it's going to be filled with ups and downs. We were promised life, life more abundant. Higher highs and lower lows than a life apart from God.
We are told by Jesus to take up our own cross and follow Him. Dying to self daily and living for Him daily. It's a struggle because my self desires rise up often. The road of life gets rocky when it does.
Prayer for one another, prayer for self is a necessity. Prayer works. Those in the Corinthian church knew this and were still reminded to remember it.
Having a prayer list is ok. But keep also an answered prayer list. You need to see and you need reminders of all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you. Being reminded of what you've been through because of your Savior and His attentiveness to your life is important. It's crucial when life tends to be overwhelming. Satan's not wanting any to remember what God's done for them. He wants people who claim to be Christians to wallow in regret. To run from serving as He called them to. To be convinced of things that aren't true according to the Word of God. To keep our minds on self instead of our Savior.
Be reminded today that no matter your situation He sees. He knows. He's waiting to hear from you. He's ready to act, is acting in our best interests if we trust in Him with all our heart. We can and will obsess over things in our lives from health to wealth. To craving prosperity and success. We aren't going to find joy in those things if our walk with God is suffering.
Realize that the Prodigal Son found joy in l the world had to offer until he ran out of his wealth and prosperity. His health suffered his soul was still found to be wanting. You too can be sucked into programs and books of this world promising much to help you but the truth is only God's Word, God's Will, God's Way delivers.
What are you feeding yourself? What music do you listen to? What movies, television shows, streaming videos? Are you feeding your emotions, your feelings, or are you enriching your walk with Jesus? People binge watch or obsess over health even in the name of self help but it's a dead end road. We find no true joy outside of our relationship with Jesus being our number one priority. Are you spending time with Jesus? Have you shared all that's on your heart with Jesus? Don't use a cop out saying He already knows. Talk with Him. Pour out your heart and quit looking to the world for healing. History shows the ways of mankind always inevitably fail. History shows the path of righteousness through Jesus Christ always succeeds.
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