Bible League: Living His Word The eyes of the LORD go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong.The Lord is not indifferent to what goes on in the earth. He keeps track of things. The earth is the work of His hands and He is interested in what happens there. Indeed, our verse for today says that "The eyes of the LORD go around looking in all the earth." And Zechariah 4:10 says that the eyes of the Lord are "looking in every direction" and they "see everything on earth." Nothing escapes His attention; nothing can happen without Him being aware of it; nothing can hide from the Lord. The Lord is especially interested in what is going on with the people of the earth. Psalm 14:2 says that "The LORD looks down from heaven to see if there is anyone who is wise, anyone who looks to him for help." The Lord wants to see if there are any wise people who are faithful to Him. Are they being faithful? Or, are they being unfaithful? Do they look to Him for help, or do they look to other gods, or to themselves? The answers to these questions are important to the Lord, because it will determine what actions He takes. If the eyes of the Lord see faithful people on the earth, then He will take a specific course of action. He will make them strong. Another translation says that He will "show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (NKJV). One might say that the Lord will show Himself strong by making the faithful strong. He will protect them, support them, supply them, strengthen them, and lift them up when they fall. The Lord does not show Himself strong for just anyone and He does not make just anyone strong. It is the faithful who inspire Him to move into action. Because they look to Him and are faithful to Him, He responds accordingly. The Lord is on the side of those who are on His side. The faithful are not the perfect, for no one is perfect. The faithful are those whose hearts are right before God. The eyes of the Lord have seen your loyalty and your faithfulness. Get ready, then, for the strengthening and the help that is about to come your way. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 41, 42, 43 Psalm 41 -- David Psalms of Deliverance (2Sa 17) NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 42 -- BOOK 2: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 43 -- Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 24 Acts 24 -- The Trial Before Felix NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, ‘I don't know you or where you come from.'Insight Finding salvation requires more concentrated effort than most people are willing to put forth. Obviously, we cannot save ourselves—there is no way we can work ourselves into God's favor. Challenge The effort we must put out “to enter the narrow door” is earnestly desiring to know Jesus and diligently striving to follow him whatever the cost. We dare not put off making this decision because the door will not stay open forever. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Exodus 14:13 Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master's word to him is, "Stand still." It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, "Lie down and die; give it all up." But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, "Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles." But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, "do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness." We must be doing something at once--we must do it so we think--instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, "If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle." But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, "Stand still," and immovable as a rock it stands. "Stand still;"--keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, "Go forward." Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,1 Samuel 3:18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him." Job 9:15 "For though I were right, I could not answer; I would have to implore the mercy of my judge. Job 1:21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 2:10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. John 11:35 Jesus wept. Isaiah 53:3,4 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. • Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. Hebrews 12:6,11 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." • All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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