It is getting harder these days, thankfully, for criminals to get away with their crimes. Most crimes take place in the night when the perpetrator has the cover of darkness. But with the advent of doorbell cameras and home security cameras, thieves can no longer count on the cover of darkness as they did before. We see the images on the news of those who break into homes. We also see robbers driving off with construction site equipment. However, even with all this technology, there are many crimes and wrongs we do not see. We do not see envy in a person's heart. We do not hear the verbal abuse that takes place inside someone's home. Nor are we privy to high levels of corruption. But there is someone who sees it all: The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3 NKJV).
Nothing escapes the attention of God. He is omnipresent, that is, "present in all places at all times" (Merriam-Webster). The psalmist asked, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). In the verses following, he concluded there was not any place in the air, in the ground, in the sea, or in the darkness that God could not see him. Of the darkness, he wrote, If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You (Psalm 139:11-12).
This knowledge is a comfort to the faithful, for when we are weak, scared, sad, or in pain, we know that God is with us. For it is written, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6,7). On the other hand, this knowledge is a terror to the disobedient. See what James reveals about demons to his audience who thought they could be justified by faith only: You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble! (James 2:19).
God sees everything, and because He is just, He must punish every sin. Will your sins, even your secret sins, be punished in hell or on the cross? But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed (Romans 3:21a, 23-25).
Everyone lives under the all-seeing eye of God. Knowing that God always sees us should produce that reverential fear of Him which results in living honestly and godly, while looking expectantly for the Lord's coming. He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him (Proverbs 14:2). Brotherly, Jamie
