Watching Over Us

Day one hundred fifty-two

Last night I had one of those late night talks with my youngest son, just the two of us talking about life.  At the end of our conversation my son looked at me and said, "Good talk Mom, thanks."  I was still thinking about it this morning when it dawned on me that we all need those 'good talks' every now and then in our lives, especially with Heavenly Father.  So I took the time to have a 'good talk' with Father this morning in my prayer.  And when I was done I made sure to thank Him, following the example of my son.

Deuteronomy 11:12

The scriptures tell us that the Promised Land is a land that God cares about.  The children of Israel can go there in confidence knowing that their God is going ahead of them and looking at all they will face before they arrive, and that even as they journey, His eyes will ever be upon them.  The land they are headed to is a land that commands the attention of the Lord.  He is committed to watching over their land and over them as well (Deut 11:12).

His eyes are on every curve of the road and they see every hill and valley that His children will face.  He sees the situations that are arising ahead of us and He goes before us to insure that everything we need will already be in place before we ever arrive.  He looks to the way His children take (Job 23:10).  If God will keep His eyes on the sparrow and the needs it has (Matt. 10:29-31); we can rest assured that He will keep His eyes on those who are His disciples.

It is reassuring to me that whether our steps lead us through the glorious heights of the mountain top experience, or through the rugged valleys below, we will never leave the gaze of our Father.  He is with us in every step we take, He is watching and He is working His perfect will in our lives.  When the world and life make no sense, it is nice to know that we are in His hands and His presence is ever with us (Heb 13:5; Matt. 28:20).  I think Psalm 121 says this beautifully:

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is they keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

As I was finishing up my study of Deuteronomy 11:10-17 I noticed that the people of Israel are reminded that the only thing that can prevent them from enjoying victory in the Promised Land is themselves.  Is this true for us too?  Yes, the only thing that can hinder us as individuals is ourselves.  If we choose to walk with the Lord, patiently, and in faith, we will recognize that we experience victories each day.  It is up to us whether we face each new day with fear and apprehension; or with faith, hope and trust!