Eyes everywhere

‘For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.’ – 2 Chronicles 16.9.

From Dave Atkinson:

I’m sure that you’ve heard the term “eyes in the back of her/his head”. Certainly, when I was a child, I believed that my mum must have eyes in the back of her head because I was constantly in trouble for things I’d done that I thought I might have got away with. I realised later that she had three pairs of eyes – two pairs belonging to my sisters!

Throughout the Bible, there are many references to “the eyes of the LORD”. These references generally emphasise the point that the eyes of the LORD are everywhere, seeing everything that everyone is up to. Proverbs 15.3 is a good example: “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”

In John 4.24, the Bible tells us that God is spirit, he doesn’t have a physical body with eyes, ears etc. – so when we read “eyes” it means God’s presence is everywhere by his Spirit. Nothing is hidden or kept secret from him.

This is really good news because we know God will see the evil and injustices that are around us and that, in his perfect timing, he will judge accordingly. It is also good news because, as with today’s verse from 2 Chronicles, it shows us that God carries out his promise never to forsake those who have committed their life to him. He will equip us to do whatever he has called us to. And, when we’re struggling with something, we know that God is right there strengthening us with what he sees we need.

The verse in 2 Chronicles is also a reminder, a warning, that we should trust God – trust his ranging eyes. That means following the path that we know God wants us to take, seeking his wisdom, guidance, and strength. And not to think we know best and take another path of our own making.

Leading up to today’s verse, we are told that King Asa of Judah, who had been described in 2 Chronicles 14.2 as doing “what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God”, was faced with war against Israel. Instead of, as he’d done on previous occasions, seeking and trusting God, he decided to trust his own wisdom and strength. He does a political and financial deal with the King of Aram in which Aram would attack Israel. But his reliance on politics, money, and Aram, rather than God, results in Judah being at war for the rest of Asa’s reign.

If we have committed our lives to the Lord Jesus, we are called to trust him and live for him by the power, strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit – the ever-present eyes of the Lord.