Sometimes, we do need to be watched. Sometimes, somebody needs to keep an eye on us to supervise us. Many of us will not do what we are supposed to do without somebody looking over our shoulders. In other words, watching is good for us.
So, what do you think about God watching us? Do you feel that God sees what we are doing? My guess is that most of us forget about that. Most of us are oblivious to God’s oversight. We are not conscious of God watching, unless and until things get tough. But let stressful times come, and then, suddenly, we are aware that God is watching.
In the Bible, Job, after all his calamities, and after listening to the windy speeches of his supposed friends, is suddenly aware that God is watching. After all his losses, after his prayers and his pleas seemed to find no answer, suddenly Job is aware that God is watching. And he’d just as soon God not watch, for he finds the eye of God oppressive. He is troubled at what it means for God to watch him.
Job considers three possibilities: First, Job thinks that maybe God is not only watching, but is against him! Job wonders whether God no longer cares, but just wants to make him miserable. Is it possible that God wants the powers of evil to win? Job is becoming paranoid. God is watching, but Job wonders if maybe God is out to get him.
So Job asks God a question: “Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands and favor the schemes of the wicked?” Simply put, "Lord, are you now on the other side?" "Are you about to destroy your own handiwork?" "Lord, are you like the potter who is not satisfied with his craftsmanship, and so breaks it up before anybody can use it?" Job’s question is a pointed one: “Oh, God, does it seem good to you to oppress?”
Job’s fear that God may want to destroy him actually came from the vibes he was getting from his friends. Job’s friends took a special delight in watching him suffer. They enjoyed his misery. It took their minds off their own deficits if they could see somebody else in trouble. And so they tore Job down and led him to wonder if God was out to get him.
Yes, God watches us, but it's not because He wants to destroy us. So, be careful who you listen to!
Secondly, Job thought a little more, and this time Job wondered whether God was watching just to catch him in a fault, just to trap him in a mistake, sort of for recreation. Job said to God, “I know you are watching”. Is it this, Lord, that you just enjoy “gotcha”? That you just take great pleasure in my mistakes?
“Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as humans see? ... that you seek out my iniquity and search for my sin, although you know that I am not guilty.” But, Job is mistaken. When God watches us, it is to love us into obedience and not to humiliate us.
Thirdly, we’d like a God who would reach out His arms and scoop us up when He sees us in trouble; just as we’d like a God who would watch us and fix everything. That’s what Job wanted and hoped for. “Lord, you are watching me. I know you are. Do for me what nobody else will do.”
“You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.” Lord, you've taken care of me all along. Can’t you do it again? Can’t you rescue me? Can’t you just lift me and let me stand on higher ground?
We would love a safety net, so that no matter what foolishness we visit, no matter what blunders we make, God would step in and take charge. But, Job discovered that God does not do that. God does not rescue us from our own mistakes.
God watches but does not step in on our timetable, at our command. God watches us, yes, but God does not rescue us from our own foolish pride or our own selfish arrogance. God does not override our freedom. Instead God equips us. He empowers us. He provides for us resources to use. God refuses to violate our freedom, but puts at our disposal the things we need for a productive life.
Don't expect God to reach out of heaven and do for you what you would not do for yourself. Don't sit back and dare God to rescue you when He has already provided you with resources. Yes, God is watching. He is watching in love, and is watching to see if you will be responsible with what He has given you.
Scripture: Psalm 32:8; Ephesians 2:1-22; Hebrews 12:1; 2 Peter 1:2-4; Philippians 1:23; Romans 1:20
Prayer: Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Amen
God bless you,
Joelle
God bless you,
Joelle
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.