The Ways Of Man

Jesus watches overWhen I look back on the sins I’ve committed, I see clearly how badly I played the fool. I did things in secret as though they were hidden from God. Whether it’s the lowest level of depravity of viewing pornography, or cursing a driver while heading to work, the Bible clearly tells us that God sees all.

    “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.” (Proverbs 5:21)

We can actually take comfort knowing God sees all the ways of man because righteousness does not go unnoticed anymore than wickedness does.

    “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Psalm 1:6)

Knowing that God sees all that we do should motivate us to obey our Lord’s commandments not only willingly, but gleefully. We can trust God to be gracious and merciful to us because He loves us. So my goal every day needs to be obedient.

    “Lord, I hope for Your salvation, and I do Your commandments. My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.” (Psalm 119:166-168)

The more openly you live your Christianity, the more likely you are going to be persecuted for it. Nevertheless, fear not and go forth because God Almighty is not just watching you, He’s also watching over you.

    “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:18-19)

The title of Psalm 139 is “God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man” and it is so appropriate. God created us, He knows our deepest desires and needs, and there is no where we can go that He is not there. It literally blows my mind when I try to comprehend His vastness.

    “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:1-6)

When persecution comes in your life, do not allow it to defeat you. You are not alone in your walk with Christ; He is always with you and you can call out to Him anytime you need.

    “I cry out to the Lord with my voice; with my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk they have secretly set a snare for me. Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul. I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.’” (Psalm 142:1-5)

It is high past time that I leave the ways of my former life. I cannot let my past or my persecutors stop me from doing the will of God. Soak in the Apostle Paul’s comforting words to his spiritual son Timothy:

    “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’” (2 Timothy 2:19)

God’s omniscience actually keeps some lost people from coming to Christ. They think they’ve done too many bad things in their lives to ever receive God’s forgiveness. So what do they do? They continue on even though they know that God is watching. Talk about being stuck on a deadly cycle of sin!

But you can get off that hellish merry-go-round anytime you want to. Just call out to Jesus, confess your sins, and proclaim Christ your King and you are forgiven. It’s a grace thing my friend.

    “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Imagine being free from the bondage of sin. Won’t you confess Christ today? He’s not only watching, He’s eagerly awaiting you.

Go to Him now…

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2013 David Jeffers

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