When we are living in a dark, troubled and uncertain world, it is comforting to know that we have God who is always watching over us. In fact, he is not only watching us in times of trouble, but he does so consistently from the beginning of the year till the end. When God gave the Israelites the Promised Land, he told them, “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). Certainly, the Lord is not only concerned about the physical land but more particularly the people living in the land. He cares about their welfare and thus, provides them with good land.
When the Lord watches over us, he is working with a plan. He said, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11). But as he works on this plan, he does not follow man’s way of doing things. He said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9). It is not a surprise, then, that though Israel, as a land and as a people, faced many challenges in the past, God has always sustained them with his righteous right hand. For this, God commanded them to be faithful in obeying his commands.
As we walk faithfully before him, we are assured: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chron. 16:9). He cares about us so much that his eyes will keep watching over us to do us good. But what is so special about the eyes of the Lord that we can fully trust in them? It is worth noting the following truth about the EYES of the Lord:
The eyes of the Lord are Everywhere. No one can escape the attention of the eyes of the Lord. In fact, we are told that “the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good” (Prov. 15:3). The Lord further said, “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes” (Jer. 16:17).
The eyes of the Lord Yearn. When the Lord looks at us, he yearns to show us his favour. The Lord said, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isa. 30:18). When he looks at those who are stubborn and are unwilling to obey his commands, he looks at them the way he looked at Jerusalem, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate” (Matt. 23:37-38).
The eyes of the Lord are Exacting (testing). When the Lord looks at us, his eyes penetrate our soul and spirit to expose everything before his eyes. Through the prophet Jeremiah, he said, “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve” (Jer. 17:10). Because he know our hearts and minds – how unstable we are in keeping his word – he watches over us for our good. He said further, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled" (Jer. 1:12). His words will not return to him void but will accomplish their purpose.
The eyes of the Lord Save. More than anything else, the Lord’s watchful eyes are upon us to protect us. The Psalmist said, “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 121:7-8). This promise of keeping watch over us goes on through eternity just as he promised to Jacob. He said, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you" (Gen. 28:15).
Knowing these truths about the eyes of the Lord should motivate us to walk faithfully before him. Let us be encouraged by the words of the Psalmist: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psalm 33:18). Yes! He will watch over us for our good. Hallelujah!