Knowing that God is omniscient (all knowing), may go over our heads until we stop and think about it as it concerns us and our activities. We cannot hide from God! And that means we cannot hide anything from God.
Psalm 139:1–4 (ESV) — 1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
Simply stated, God knows our words before we speak them, He knows our thoughts before we think them, and He knows our actions before we do them. And the conclusion of the matter:
Psalm 139:6 (ESV) — 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Of course, as we consider the knowledge of God about every thought, word, and action, we should be fearful to know that our lives are an open book for God to judge and He will as stated in the Scriptures. On the other hand, His knowledge is described as a good thing in the Bible as He watches over us as His special treasure.
Psalm 33:18 (ESV) — 18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
The use of the eye metaphor concerning God is to help us get a handle on how special we are to Him. He is on guard every minute of every day as He notices when we hurt, when we are scared, etc. Look what He assured Moses – He sees, He listens, and He knows our feelings.
Exodus 3:7 (ESV) — 7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,
God’s people have His eye. In fact, it describes them as the “apple of His eye.”
Deuteronomy 32:9–10 (ESV) — 9 But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. 10 “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
Zechariah 2:8 (ESV) — 8 For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:
Do you get the sense that God’s watching over those who belong to Him have His special attention? That would be absolutely correct. He is watching, not to catch us doing something wrong so He can punish us – He knew about every sin we would ever commit when He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Therefore, He laid the punishment for every iniquity upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Granted, He watches us as a father who chastens or disciplines His children from time to time in the process of sanctification, making us more and more like Christ in our character. But consider how He watches over us to protect us, care for us, and be there for us. No wonder He is described as a “very present help.”
Psalm 46:1 (ESV) — 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
There’s another use of the metaphor of the way God is watching and that is the way He watches out to bless us. Notice the first part of the verse in 2Chronicles. He is watching over us to give support. Then notice the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in John 4 stating how God is watching for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV) — 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”
John 4:23 (ESV) — 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
God is looking to bless those whose hearts are focused on Him and who worship Him. Are you in that number? Today would be a good time to stop and consider how God is watching. If you are hiding things from God, even bitterness, it’s best to just come clean with Him because you cannot hide anything from Him. It’s also good to realize how great is His concern for you to know that He sees every trying circumstance you face. Nothing comes your way but that it is sifted through His hand and is used by Him for His purpose in your sanctification, which is ultimately your good. But also consider how He is watching to bless those who make it their aim to please Him and worship Him, or in other words, live to the glory of God.
Yes, He is watching you. May you enjoy the blessing of realizing that today.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
