I suppose the thought may have crossed your mind that I was about to talk about my boyfriend's mesmerising gaze, judging by the title of this post.
Well, sorry to disappoint you. Haha.
What I actually wanted to write about was the devotion that I shared at my office this morning.
You see, we have this tradition that we do at our office, where every one of us would take turns to share a devotional thought each Monday morning. A positive way to start the week and set the tone, you could say.
Well, so anyway, this Monday was my turn and I took the opportunity to share about God's eyes. I arrived at this I kept having Hillsong's I Will Run To You playing in my head for some inexplainable reason. Perhaps it's something God wanted me to say.
In any case, that was what I shared and that is what I also wish to post here. I have taken the liberty of turning it into a mini article to make it easier to read and to understand my train of thought. I hope it'll encourage you in one way or another :)
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What do you think of when someone tells you that they've got their eyes on you or that they're watching you?
For me, it seems to be a scary thought at first. But according to some people I have spoken to, it really depends on who it is that is saying that to you.
Assuming those words were uttered by someone who genuinely cares about you, it would perhaps evoke a comforting feeling - to know that they are looking out for you.
But the effect would be totally different had it been from the lips of a total stranger. In fact, it might be quite correct to assume in such situations that you just might be facing a stalker problem.
So what then would be the effect of hearing that God's eyes are on you? Does that strike fear or courage into your heart?
The sentiment which it would evoke inside of you really depends on your perception of what it means to have God watching you.
Do you see Him as One who observes your every move just so that He can find fault with you?
Or do you think of him as a spectator of a reality show, who regards your actions or reactions as a form of mere entertainment?
But really, God isn't in the business of spying on us. He has other better things in mind when He says that He's got His eye on us.
In Deuteromy 32:10, the Bible tells us that God watches over us because we are precious to Him.
"In a desert land He found him (Jacob or God's people),
in a barren and howling waste.
He shielded him and cared for him;
He guarded him as the apple of his eye.."
And God doesn't just have His eyes on us occasionally. In fact, He's looking out for us 24-7, for the rest of our lives.
"... He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you -
the Lord is you shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm -
He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
- Psalm 121:3-8
Here are some of the common reasons why God keeps an eye out for us:
1. To equip us.
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."
- 2 Chronicles 16:9
2. To give us direction.
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye."
- Psalm 32:8
3. To reward us.
"But when you do a charitable deed,
do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
that your charitable deed may be in secret;
and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."
- Matthew 6:3-4
4. To protect/sustain us
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy.
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine."
- Psalm 33:18-19
And these are only but a few of the reasons behind God's watchful eyes over our lives.
But even as we continue to discover the delightful purposes behind God's steady observance of our lives, we ought to ask ourselves this question:
Whilst we are aware of His keen eye watching over us, do we have our own eyes turned to Him?
In Psalm 141:8 it says,
"But my eyes are on You, O God the Lord;
In You I take refuge..."
May this be our attitude each day as we continue to walk closer to Him.
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