Psalm 33:13 “From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;”
[Such all encompassing ability, such penetrating power, such total focus that you can look down and see ALL mankind. No one is hidden from your sight. What a grief it must be to you to see your creatures continually sin, to hurt others, to dishonor your name, to rebel left and right—yet in your love and mercy you keep on looking down and working among us.]
Psalm 33:14 “from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—“
[Again the word “all”—every single human being is fully in your sight, having your complete attention, for you are infinite in your abilities.
This should strike fear in the hearts of rebels, for nothing can be hidden from you. It should give encouragement to us who are your children, knowing that we can be totally honest with you for you already know it all. You are beyond comprehension and worthy of our worship and trust!]
Psalm 33:15 “he who forms the hearts of all,
[You are our Maker, you know how things should work, and you enable us to live according to what is right by providing direction, guidance, power and desire so join you in all you do. “By his divine power he has given us all we need for life and godliness through our knowlege of him…” (2 Pet. 1:3)].
“who considers everything they do.”
[Praise you, Lord God, that you are not just aware of each person, but you think on, weigh, evaluate every motive, thought, word and action–every single thing we do. That is scary! Not one thing goes unnoticed and unweighed, and if it weren’t for your great mercy, we would be immediately, eternally dammed by these things we do.
As it says in Rev 20:13,15 “each person was judged according to what he had done…If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Our own works bring not salvation but damnation. But there is that wonderful “IF” in this sentence “if our names are…written in the book of life.” And praise God, that in the lives of believers this is a reality: our names are written in that book by the Lamb of God Himself!
That fact alone is enough for us to rejoice forever, even if every other thing goes wrong in our lives. We can wholeheartedly follow the example of Habakkuk who proclaimed, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls…”–this is a terrible, hopeless situation of despair.
But Habakkuk goes on in faith: “…yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Knowing God, being His forgiven child, having Him as our Savior, Shepherd, God and King who watches over us every moment is certainly enough for joy in any circumstance–we can choose to rejoice in Him no matter what, knowing that whatever happens, He has a plan for us, and it is a good one!
Glory be to you, Lord, the all-seeing God, for you are worthy. May you be honored, lifted up and praised throughout this day in my life. Amen.
