http://bible.com/116/psa.33.18.nlt
But the Lord watches over those who fear Him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
Observation
He watches over me. Just think about that for a moment. Hear it like a child.
The Lord watches over me.
Let’s step outside of the familiar religious attitude of listening with our minds, and let’s hear this message with our young, new hearts.
The Lord watches over me.
Yes, everything I do. Even every word I say. Even every thought that enters my mind. The Lord watches over me.
Isn’t that either something for us to get excited over – or isn’t it something that should frighten us?
And is there any of us that pridefully thinks their life already sanctified to such closeness to the resemblance of Christ that this statement does not generate a fear of God within them?
Is there anyone who is so lost as to think that there is no need for the fear of God in their life?
Is there anyone so complacent and luke warm in their faith that they are resting in the promises of cheap grace, that is no grace at all because they have no fear of God and do not know Him at all?
Sometimes I forget.
Say it isn’t so!
I wish that it wasn’t so, but to say it would be an outright lie.
I forget that He watches over me. I forget that He sees my reaction, both my outward reaction visible to other men and more importantly, my thoughts and the desires of my heart when I face temptation.
Yes, I forget.
And how can this be so? That I, like Peter, would stand firm and bold in my claim to Christ, just to find myself denying Him at some point in my day, falling short of His perfection, demonstrating my weakness, being humbled when the new day dawns and I find myself still unworthy of His glory and grace.
But, it isn’t about my worthiness. It is about His glory.
Yes, let me say it again.
It isn’t about my worthiness, it is about His unending love.
The depths of His love both humbles me and draws me close, IF I have a fear of God.
And that is a very important IF.
Because without the fear of God, without understanding, without our seeking Him – we are blind and wandering – unaware of the truth of our condition.
If we are so foolish as to never have yet known the fear of God, we need only take hold of the law and it’s requirements and understand our own condition so that we might know the conviction upon our hearts to surrender to the Lord, to cry out to Him in our helplessness, and to receive His merciful grace.
If we are so proud to think that we have this faith thing under control – oh, the mountains we scale just to cast ourselves off the edge as a warning to others!
Call to Action
Do you believe that He watches over your actions, your words, your thoughts?
Do you remember constantly that He watches over you?
How much change would we see in our lives if we walked every step – both in the fear of His position as Almighty Creator, as true and just and fair and righteous judge – and as our Faithful and forgiving Father who loves us.
He is called Faithful and True.
He watches over me.
I cannot lose trust that He is Faithful, but I also must not ignore repentance and obedience denying that He is True.
Faith, belief, understanding, is knowing and grasping hold of both, clinging to Him, knowing that He watches over me, that He goes my steps, that He is the very foundation that we stand upon.
Let’s be sure that our feet are set upon firm ground, friends.
Let’s examine ourselves.
Let’s seek His will.
Let’s remember both the mercy of His name Faithful, and let’s remember the righteousness of His name True.
http://bible.com/116/rev.19.11-16.nlt
Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Have you recognized that He is Lord of your life, friend?
Whether or not you have acknowledged it in your mind, you already know that it is true in your heart. Can’t you hear the call of His voice upon your life today, friend?
Can’t you feel Him inviting you to come and sit at His table, to come and break bead with Him?
Do not delay, friend.
Do not look back at the world, do not turn aside. Set your eyes upon the prize, lay down your crowns at His feet, know the only blessing and inheritance worth claiming and clinging hold to – know yourself as His bride and He as your groom. Submit yourself humbly to Him, and find yourself walking, hand in hand with the Lord.
Do not play the harlot, but be the faithful bride. Remain by His side today.
Know that He watches over you.
Remember that He is with you.
And know peace today.
He sees you.
Yes, He sees who you really are inside.
And you who are His, He calls you precious and valuable in His eyes.
He knows your value.
Do you?
Precious child of God, do you know your value?
That Almighty God would come, manifest in the flesh, to offer Himself in Jesus Christ as the very sacrifice that frees you from slavery to sin and redeems you to be reconciled as His bride?
A true bride does not play the harlot the night before marrying the man of her choice, that is left to the bridesmaids and those who do not love the groom and who have no place at the wedding except to watch from afar.
But you, child of God, bride of Christ – you are valued greatly, you are His.
Remember today.
He sees you.
Harold J. Ballinger 