The Eyes of the Lord

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good. – Proverbs 15:3

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9

The chapter “Understanding God” has already covered this subject, but it is worth repeating to eliminate any doubt. Regardless of where you find yourself right now, what circumstances you are in, or whatever situation you are facing, great or small, God is aware of everything. Nothing surprises Him or escapes His attention. Here on earth, we do not know all things, for we are not God. We often do not understand why things happen they way they do, because our limited, finite human minds cannot begin to comprehend the plans of an infinite and holy God or His wisdom in totality (Isa 55:8–9; Pro 3:5; Rom 11:33; 1Co 2:14). But God sees and knows all things (1Jn 3:20; Psa 147:5; 139:4; Heb 4:13; Jer 29:11; Mat 10:30). Thus, for a Christian, there is no such thing as good or bad luck, coincidence, or fortune (Rom 8:28–39; cf. Php 1:12; Mat 10:29–31; 1Pe 3:12; Gen 45:5; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; 145:18; Pro 5:21; 15:3).

Remember that Jesus is right now this very instant ruling and reigning from heaven above, “seated at the right hand of God” the Father (Col 3:1), “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph 1:20–21). Furthermore, “the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2Ch 16:9; cf. Psa 34:15; Pro 5:21; 15:3; 1Pe 3:12). Yes, He actively searches out and is near to those who “call on His name” “in spirit and truth” (see Rom 10:13; 1Co 1:2; Joh 4:23–24; Psa 145:18; Isa 12:4; Zep 3:9; cf. Heb 4:16; 7:19, 25; 10:22; Jas 4:8–10; Psa 34:18; 145:18; Lam 3:22–23). His lovingkindness, mercy, and grace abound to those who are abiding in Christ (Joh 15:1–10). So continue to seek Him with all your heart, mind, and soul (Mat 22:37; Mar 12:30; Luk 10:27; Act 8:37)—and then rest in “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Php 4:6–7 [ESV]; cf. Joh 14:27; 2Th 3:16; 1Pe 5:6–7). Remember, your hope, peace, and trust are in Christ, not in man or the things of this world (Heb 12:2; 13:6; Psa 60:11; 118:6, 8–9; 146:3–5; Num 23:19; Rom 3:4; Mat 6:33; 10:28; Col 3:1; Tit 1:2; Pro 29:25; Isa 2:22; 31:1; Jer 17:5).

CHAPTER PRAYER[1]

Dear Lord, hallowed be Your great and holy name! Father, thank You for being so unbelievably patient with me when I was a sinner and an enemy of Yours. Thank You also for taking such good care of me and watching everything that happens in, around, to, and for me. Help me to understand that You are also good and loving even when my faith is being tested and when evil and corrupt men and women seem to surround me on all sides and as far as the eye can see. Help me understand that Your ways are not mine and that Your thoughts are infinitely higher than mine. Help me have peace even when I do not understand why things are happening the way they are. Help me remember that You will repay all men for their deeds, whether good or bad, and that I need not be anxious over evildoers or succumb to their fear and control tactics here in this world.

Help me to steer clear of sin and other snares, traps, and pitfalls in this fallen world so I can stand holy and blameless in Your sight on the Day of Judgment. Help me to study, learn, apply, and be obedient to all the commandments of Your Son, Jesus, along with the instructions of His apostles. Help me to be like Him in all things, even when I’m confused, worried, anxious, or afraid. Allow such times to be brief, and lead me to passages in Your Word where I can read, study, and learn from those who have come before me. Grant me the same steadfast, rock-solid faith of Daniel as he faced the lions’ den, the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego as they faced being thrown alive into the fiery furnace, the patience of Job while he was being tested, the trust of Abraham even though he didn’t see the fulfillment of all the promises You made to him during his lifetime, and the longsuffering of Paul when I’m facing difficult, dark, and dangerous situations and circumstances.

Father, please grant me a humble, thankful, and grateful heart at all times, both before men and before You. Help me remember that there is nothing good in me, that You alone are good, and that all good things come from above as You promised. Help me conduct myself with humility, honesty, integrity, kindness, patience, and forgiveness, even when others do not behave in that manner toward me. Grant me Your wisdom when I do not see the way forward as I bring my requests and petitions before You in prayer. Help me remember to pray for others as well as for myself and to make sure my focus is seeking the things above instead of the things of this world. Help me build Your kingdom instead of mine and exalt Your name instead of mine. Grant me courage, discipline, self-control, and strength of character as I go forth proclaiming the good news of the Gospel and Your Son to anyone who will listen.

Help me look to You for strength and not rely on my own might or power, for I have none. Help me be fully aware of Your power, majesty, glory, and holiness and remember that all things, both in this world and the next, are fully under Your control. Help me praise You as You have set me free in the truth of Christ Jesus. Help me set my hope firmly on the glory that is yet to be revealed to us as You raise me up on the last day, where there will be no more sin, suffering, tears, or death. Help me press on firm in my faith and trust so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus and that I may also press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Lastly, grant me the necessary desire, passion, time, energy, and attention to diligently study Your Word so I can know the truth and not fall victim to the schemes, false teachings, and fake prophecies of man, committees, institutions, councils, conferences, synods, and the devil. Help me realize deep down that there is a spirit of error in the world and that Satan is still actively trying to deceive people, destroy their hope in You, and lead them to destruction—for he opposes all things good and of God.

I pray all these things in the most holy name of Your Almighty Son, Jesus—the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning of the creation of God, my Rock, my Redeemer, my hope, my strength, my peace, and my joy. Amen.

[1] I realize this prayer is longer than the others in the book, as my prayers are usually quite short and to the point. But we are to pour out our hearts before God, and this is what came out. Looking back at it, I realize that it’s a bit of a “kitchen sink” prayer, but know that God also has a sense of humor! He’s okay with that. He is not an impersonal force, a feeling, or an “it”—He is a loving, caring, holy being with feelings, and sometimes He laughs and cries (just like us)! You can take comfort in that. He also laughs at our weaknesses and feeble efforts, but then He turns them right around and uses them to accomplish His will for His glory. The more you know about God, the less anxiety and worry you will have, and the greater will be your peace. Amen.

R. John Anderson

Author and photographer R. John Anderson has journeyed the world over to capture the natural beauty of God’s creation. Having traveled to many countries and continents in a span of over thirty years, he has seen the amazing artistry that can be found in all types of locations, from the glacial fjords of polar Greenland to the wild Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the rich rain forests of Costa Rica. Nature’s greatest natural beauty often lies in the harshest deserts, remotest wilderness, and sub-zero ice-covered regions.