Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. English Standard Version (ESV)
Reading today's verse on its own you may get the picture of a heavenly Santa Claus making a list of who's been naughty and nice in order to dole out blessings on the good. That is not the picture that we get from the rest of the Bible. In the Bible we can think of the shepherds "keeping watch" over their flocks by night in the Christmas story. It is not a passive role. We may house sit for someone or even baby sit. We are there to watch them, we are looking out for them, and we are there for them should something go wrong or should they simply need assistance. We may also have an opportunity to teach in the case of children. God does so with His children.
It just so happened that my read through the New Testament plan for today (the 1 year plan) brought me to Matthew 14 where we have the account of Peter's walking on the water. Jesus had been keeping watch on the disciples as the storm came up at sea. He walked out on the water to meet them as part of His "keeping watch". He also called Peter out of the boat to walk on the water. As Peter took a few steps, he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus, as part of His keeping watch, reached down and lifted him out of the crashing waves.
If Peter had seen Jesus walking on the water on a calm day, do you think he would have gotten out of the boat? Max Lucado writes "But give a man a choice between sure death and a crazy chance, and he'll take the chance....every time..... Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation."
Sometimes we'll find ourselves in positions where we will think that God has dropped the ball (or the egg) on His keeping watch. He may just be calling us to step out in faith, ready to reach out with His strong arm should we doubt and begin to sink.
Be thankful that He is there keeping watch. We are to be ready when He calls us in faith, knowing that He is keeping watch, ready to help. When He does may we, like Peter, be able to proclaim, "Truly, you are the Son of God."
Matthew 14:28-33English Standard Version (ESV)
28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
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