Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Indeed, I am watched

"It's people don't realize I am watching them. Their sinful deeds are all around them; I see them all." Hosea 7:2

As I searched deeper and deeper into the word of God trying to find any and all occasions where the word "watched" has been used, I found something very interesting and yet so refreshing, especially at a time such as this.

Over the last year I have been placed under a series of tests, faith tests that is. These tests have come in all different and very challenging ways. They have come through people, surroundings, and circumstance.

This latest test, and I should say the one I am still in, hit me smack dab in the gut and has left me with an even greater determination to charge back at Satan with every ounce of God's word and power within me.

Therefore it is the very reason Hosea 7:2 is our S.S.A.L.S (study, store, apply, live, and share) for the week. And it is the very reason I began searching for the word "watched" throughout the Old and New testament.

I would give anything to be able to put my heart and my emotions on this blog just so you could have a glimpse of how I feel and felt as I came across these verses and what the Lord spoke to me during such an emotional and very personal moment. But since I can't I will just pray that as you read them yourselves that the Lord will fill your heart with an overwhelming since of peace, joy, and deeper understanding of what it means to be "watched" by the Lord.

"For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction." Psalm 1:6 - The Lord is watching over this path I am on, He has not led me down a path of testing alone. He is right beside me every step I take. Not only is He watching, but He is directing me and holding me by the hand.  "The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."  Psalm 37:23-24

"You watched me as I was being formed in utter seculsion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb." Psalm 139:15- God has watched you and me from the very beginning. Not a second has gone by that our amazing Father has not been "watching" us. Which leads me to our final passage.

"...My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." Psalm 121:2-8

I want to close by writing this Psalm out the way the Lord spoke it to me. It is this very passage that has brought more hope, joy, peace of mind and reassurance that no matter the test, no matter the people Satan is trying to use, my God, my Father, my hero, my protector, and my defender is watching over me. Therefore I will come through this time being refined and wiser than before.

Kristi your help comes from me, the Lord, the one who made the heavens and the earth! I WILL NOT let you stumble and fall; I , the one who watches over you will never fall asleep. Indeed, I, the one whom watches over Israel never tires or never sleeps. I myself watch over you! I stand beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. I will keep you from all evil and preserve your life. I the Lord your Father keep watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.