We often hear people say, “Someone up there is watching me.” While there is truth to this statement, there is a need to know who that someone is. In one of his epistles, the apostle Paul clearly mentioned that there are powers, rulers and evil forces in the heavenly realm. Therefore, it should not always be assumed that only God is up there watching. This being the case, we need to be more specific when we say that someone up there is watching us. Believers should always state clearly that it is God who is watching because, as King David said, “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:18).
Unlike idols, whose eyes are designed to stare idly and blankly, the eyes of the Lord are active and watchful. They are ever upon his people. In Scriptures we are told: “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chro. 16:9). No wonder many have been receiving unexpected blessings. They never asked the Lord for it, but the Lord gave it anyway. This is because the Lord’s eyes are always searching for those who are living in righteousness and deserving of his blessings.
The eyes of the Lord are also watching us to ensure that we are well provided for. To emphasize the care that the Lord showed to the land of Israel, Moses said, “It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end” (Deut. 11:12). He said that unlike the land of Egypt that is irrigated by foot, the land of Israel is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. Nevertheless, it is productive and fruitful because the Lord is watching over it. Likewise, we need only to trust in the Lord for our daily provisions for he keeps watch over us day and night. We are not to struggle like the rest who do not rely on God for their survival.
As the eye of the Lord roams to and fro throughout the earth, it is attentive to the prayers of the saints. This was highlighted by the apostle Peter who said, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer” (1 Peter 3:12). While the Lord listens to the cry of those who are upright in heart, many are not being blessed because they themselves are poor listeners. All they know is how to blurt out their requests to God but do not spend enough time to listen to the Lord’s response. They are like the disciples who were praying for the release of Peter from prison. While the Lord quickly answered their prayers, they could not believe it. They continued praying even when the lady who answered the door told them that Peter was already standing at the door (Acts 12:5-17).
The Lord also teaches with his eyes. The Psalmist said, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8). Just like children that can be instructed by the eyes of their parents, so shall we be before the Lord. Just by looking at the eyes of the Lord, we will know what he wants us to do. When Peter denied Jesus three times, he thought that he could go scot-free. However, when the Lord looked at him and their eyes locked, guilt came upon Peter and he wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-62). For us to be instructed by the Lord, we also need to see him eye to eye through his Word. We have to let his Word convict us of sin that we may be led to live a righteous life.
As the Lord’s eyes are upon us, we too should focus our eyes on him. In expressing his trust in the Lord, David said, “My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare” (Psalm 25:15). But while our eyes are upon him, we should not be staring at him blankly. We should look unto him with much expectation. We should be like the Psalmist who said, “As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy” (Psalm 123:2). We need to be watchful of the Lord’s instructions and guidance and be patient. Many miss the blessings of the Lord because they are not willing to wait for his mercy. Just like a slave who does not put matters in his own hands but waits for his master to give the cue, we too should patiently wait on him. Yes, the Lord will make everything beautiful in its time. Therefore, let us fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ who is the author and perfecter of our faith. Hallelujah!
