“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love.” Psalm 33:18 ESV
Fear in this sense of the word is not the fear we talked about last week. It is not the fear that keeps you up at night or makes you have to remember to breathe. The fear this is talking about is a holy reverence. It is knowing, believing God to be who He says He is. And knowing that He holds you, He holds your future, He knows your past, He is your very present. He is creator of the universe and He created you for a purpose. It is knowing that He is the very air you breathe and being grateful for that air and the breath in your lungs. It is knowing that I am His and I don’t think I would survive one minute if I didn’t know He was holding me in the palm of His hand!
When you “fear” Him, when you know Him, when you desire to follow Him, because you have given your life to Him, you can be assured that His eye is on you! He knows the stuff of life, the big stuff and the mundane stuff that is making up your days. He is keeping his watchful eye on you. And therefore, you can hope in His steadfast love. Even when you don’t feel Him, He’s there. Even when you don’t see Him, He is there. Even when you aren’t getting it right or you aren’t pulling it together. He is there. Even when you mess up, He’s there, keeping His eye on you.
I am thinking about my grandchildren when they come to visit. My eyes are on their every move. I can’t take my eyes off of them. I love everything they do and nothing can and will ever change that. Even when they may not be doing things the way their parents want, when they are whiny because they are tired or not feeling well or just want their way. I love them no matter what or how they act. I love to watch them play, I love to snuggle with them. I LOVE when they call me by name. I love everything about them and they will never have need to doubt my love for them. God feels the same way about us. He delights for us to call Him by name and He watches our every moves.
There is something about that that just gives me courage and it gives me strength and it gives me hope. I know that if God is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31) I know that I will remain confident that I will see His goodness in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) And I know that His purpose for me will be fulfilled. (Psalm 138:8)
Restore 