We had two appointments yesterday. The first was at 9.30am, and although I needed 20-25 minutes to get there, we left at 8.45am with the idea that should there be traffic delays we had sufficient time to make the appointment. I opened the garage gate with the remote, but once we were out it would not close. I tried everything I know about gate motors and could not get it to work. I call the technician we use and he directed me through certain procedures but the gate would not close. We agreed he would come at 3pm, giving us time to meet our agreed appointments. I hauled out a heavy chain and lock, and after disabling the gate motor I chained the gate closed.
The technician came as agreed, and after fiddling with a few things he seemed to find what was wrong and the gate was working properly. The gate frame has two sensors, one on either side. If the gate is opening or closing and one walks through the gate, the “beam” between these sensors is broken and the gate stops and then moves the other way. I call this the gate’s eyes as it “sees” an intervention (someone or something blocking the beam), and sends a message to the gate motor to stop and move in the other direction. This is to prevent the gate colliding with a car or person. So, the gate is working … great.
This morning we needed to send a parcel to Cape Town via the system Pick ‘n Pay uses. So we opened the gate and backed out the vehicle … but the gate would not close. The same problem. I called the technician, and he tried to guide me through what to do on the gate motor’s computer system to disconnect the gate’s sensors (eyes). This worked, but when trying to bridge the system with a wire, it would not work. He said he would come later in the day to sort out the problem … which would be temporal until next week when they formally start work for the year and their suppliers open. He feels we need to change the sensors (eyes). He came and sorted it out. Now when the gate is opened, it can’t close unless it is closed using the remote. Those eyes (sensors) are crucial to create a beam that, when broken, stops the gate to prevent a collision.
We are told that God is Spirit and needs to be worshipped in spirit and truth.
Joh 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Even though God is Spirit, the Bible uses language we can understand to explain certain attributes and functions of God. As an example, the word “omniscient” includes all-seeing. God is omniscient … and all-seeing. Nothing escapes His eye. Everything throughout all creation … be it here on our planet or any other planet or any other solar system. He has constant vision of all creation all the time. Where every person on the planet rebelled, God was disappointed to the highest degree.
Ge 6:5 The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
Then we read:
Ge 6:8 “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.”
In verse 5, “The LORD (God) saw” … with His eyes … and in verse 8, “Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD” … (sight). In both cases, what is seen transfers information into knowledge which draws a response from God … displeasure or pleasure. As you read on in Genesis, you find the Universal Flood account. The whole earth was deluged … yet … Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD … he and his family were saved in the Ark … whilst everyone else was drowned!
Where the technician could bypass the eyes (sensors) of the gate motor … no one can bypass the eyes of God. He sees it all! This might be devastating to some, but for the Children of God, although scary, it is a huge encouragement!
Pr 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
Wow! The eyes of the LORD are on everyone, the good and the wicked … 24/7! The wicked (rebellious, Gospel rejecters) don’t care. They don’t give a thought to the reality of God and the reality that every single thing a person does is recorded. In the great “spiritual computer room” in heaven God has everyone’s life record. Nothing is missing because God’s eyes see in the day and night. Nothing escapes His vision! And … the staggering reality is that:
Rom 14:12 each of us will give an account of himself to God.
At the same time, we are greatly encourage by the fact that God is watching intentional Christians!
Ps 33:18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.
And we see the purpose of the “eyes of the LORD upon the Children of God”:
2 Chron 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
One gets the picture that God purposely runs His eyes throughout the planet to find and see His faithful children. One gets the idea that He wants to see whether Divine Intervention of some sort might be needed. Perhaps deliverance from dangerous situations. Maybe some need encouragement because of disappointment or bereavement. Others need protection against evil forces. Still others are in the midst of being tempted and God has the “way out” on hand for them. Maybe there are those who purposefully want to sin … in deep wicked ways that will result in much pain for themselves or their loved ones … and their Gospel testimony will be severely tarnished. Praise the LORD for “[strengthening] those whose hearts are fully committed to him”. Yet, with every blessing comes the challenge! We need to be “walking on eggs”. That is, God eyes are upon us … we must live lives that please Him!
Dear Loving, Glorious, Caring Father, thank You that Your eyes are upon us all the time. Thank You that this is for blessings but also for checking up on us. Help us to honour You by living according to Scripture daily. Amen.