Keeping Watch

Proverbs 15:3 ~ "​The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."

There is no escaping God's careful gaze upon your life. He knows all things, sees all things and even your very thoughts are known to Him. Psalm 94:11 states, "The Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath." Evil and good are both in His watchful perception, and He is not confused as to what is evil and good.

Mankind is often confused, uncertain as to whether or not something is objectively evil or good. We tend to speculate about things, trying to make determinations about what we might consider as evil--compromising here and there and allowing ourselves to justify our attitudes and actions based upon our own subjective understanding. Yet Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us away from our own understanding of things. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Knowing that God sees all things, what do you have put in place that will give you what is needed to keep watch over your own life? Are there safeguards established, or do you constantly need lifeguards to rescue you from various potential disasters? Let me encourage you--there are safeguards available. Like lighthouses that warn against trouble and instructors that give you needed wisdom, God has provided what you need to keep watch.

Before we look at the tools given by God, you might be asking why you need to take such care over your soul? First, because Jesus commanded it. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus commands, "​Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Another reason flows from the fact that our hearts need guarding. Proverbs 4:23 states, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

What has God given to put a watch upon our lives?

First, He's given the Word of God. Consider what Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." There is no subjective quality to the Word of God. It is not speculative, but objectively true and absolutely right. The moment the question of what is evil or good is in play, the Word of God will give clarity. Moreover, it is a warning against that which would lead us into evil. Psalm 19:11 says, "Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."

​Next, He's given us leadership in the church. Hebrews 13:17 tells us, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." Godly men in the church who serve as elders are there to provide the guidance and instruction needed for every believer to avoid evil and pursue good. These are men who will stand before God and give an account of their service to the fellowship. They hold the work of the gospel in the lives of every believer as a precious thing, striving to guide the church to holiness before God. It is to your advantage to heed their guidance (see also Hebrews 13:7). 

Finally, God has given the church for the purpose of keeping our lives away from sin and pursuing righteousness. Galatians 6:1 tells us, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." The fellowship of the family of Christ is a strong support in living for Christ. There are those who see the church as a casual affair, passively engaged in the life of other believers. But it is in the fellowship that we grow in Christ. Ephesians 4:15-16 instructs us in this, "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

As God is keeping watch over us, so He has given us the tools we need to keep ourselves away from evil and pursuing good. Let us live with these safeguards firmly placed in our lives and, perhaps, we will need fewer lifeguards to rescue us from the calamity of sin.

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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