November 18, 2020
As a child, when my family went on long car trips, we would play “I Spy.” If you don’t know the game, it’s where you “spy” something of a certain color nearby. Everyone else tries to guess what you see. We all took turns trying to choose the smallest, hardest-to-see things. I once “spied” a blue car that was passing us. I kind of cheated because what I saw was no longer visible to the others. That didn’t sit well with them:)
I just now read in Matthew about the guards doing some spying of their own. Shortly after Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to Mary Magdalene and another Mary, who ran to tell the disciples, the temple guards ran off too; they went to tell the chief priests all that had happened. This is how the chief priests and elders handled the information.
When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples cane at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” Matthew 28:12-14 NKJV
As Christians, we know something that the counsel either didn’t consider or care about. God sees all. He saw the elders, chief priests and the bribed guards. He heard the lies they were going to to spread to others. If you played, “I Spy” with God, He would win every time.
Things that have passed, He already saw. Things in the future, He already sees. Things we do and say now, He knows and hears. There’s nothing you can hide from God. This thought has corrected my attitude many times.
God can also see our heart. Motives and incentives are not lost on Him. He is the Invisible God that sees the invisible. This verse assures me that we can hide nothing from God.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 NKJV
Does it seem sometimes that God isn’t punishing the evil in our world? Maybe so, but we must remember He has a plan we can’t see. One thing that we can bank on, is that God does sees it all and eventually, everyone will have to account for their actions. We do not have to judge or worry. Nothing will go unpunished or unrewarded. Our job is to be careful what we treasure, because it determines what actions we take. This verse explains it well:
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 NKJV
Dear Father,
You are our greatest treasure. Thank You for Your Word that guides us to stay in the way of truth. Thank you for giving us the best chance of showing holy actions, by living abundantly in our hearts. You see us when we have wrong actions or attitudes. Thank You for Your grace that forgives. You are amazing and we love You! Amen.
GROWwork: (I am doing this too.)
- In a very quiet place, pray and ask God to help You inventory your heart. What things do you hold dear? What actions come from valuing those things?( If you like, make a list in your journal.)
- What things does God see, that you wish He didn’t? Is there anything you/I can change? This is not meant to be judgmental but kind of an offering to God, a “taking stock” measure. Ask God to help with any issues.
Love and prayers to you all,
Tina
Glory in the Morning 