God Sees. God Hears. God Knows.

My friend and preaching colleague, Warren Berkley, has a blog called Berksblog.  Recently, he posted a quote on his Facebook page by J. C. Ryle, a 19th-century British preacher and writer.

Ryle’s words speak to a pressing need that is real and relevant for our 21st-century culture as well.  Read it slowly, thoughtfully, and personally, then consider a few observations.

Ryle’s exhortations remind us….

#1 Of God’s Omniscience.  

The wise man affirmed, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3).   The Psalmist expressed it in these words. “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” (Ps. 139:1-4). And the Apostle John penned this sobering Truth:  “God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (1 Jn. 3:20

These verses and many others affirm that God is all-knowing, ever-present,  and immeasurably infinite as it pertains to creation, recorded history, human hearts, and future events.

#2 Of our Personal Responsibility.

We are creatures of choice and are responsible for what we see, say, do, and think.  The quote implies that we are to be good stewards of our time, talent, resources, and opportunities.

God desires that we be thoughtful, deliberate, and spiritually minded regarding our choices of entertainment, friends, reading material, and lifestyle.

Consider Ryle’s quote in view of Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 5:15-17.  “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

#3 Of our Ultimate Accountability.

Since God sees and knows, and since we are responsible for our decisions, God will hold us accountable.  Reflect on the implications of the warning from the writer of Hebrews. “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.”

Indeed,  “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Cor. 5:10).

Ryle’s solemn admonition is reminiscent of the little song that we teach children in Bible class.

Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see,
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.
There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.

The subsequent verses of the song add:

Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear

Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say.

Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do.

Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go.

This sentiment is obviously applicable to big folks as well.  Why?

Because there’s Father up above, looking down in tender love.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman