Always Watching, Always Listening

“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” – Psalm 34:15

Sometimes I have wondered if anyone knew of the difficulties I was facing at particular times in  my life. I wrestled with whether or not to share my burdens, and often I chose to bear them alone (mistake #1… not reaching out). This frequently resulted in social withdrawal (mistake #2… solitude is not the answer), which allowed despair to creep into my heart and whisper into my ear, drawing me into its darkness.

I forgot that no matter what the situation, no matter how “alone” I felt, I really was never out of fellowship with my heavenly Father. It wasn’t until overwhelming despondency gripped me that I fell to my knees in prayer (mistake #3… waiting so long to pray!) and cried out to God.

I forgot that He is always keeping an eye on me! Proverbs 15:3 states, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” God is ever-present in my life, completely aware of all things in which I am involved, and He allows only what He wills into my life. 2 Chronicles 16:9 also reminds me, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…” I chose to rely on my heart’s feelings, which are very unreliable (mistake #4… the heart is very deceitful – Jeremiah 17:9) It is important to rely on the facts of Scripture instead of my emotions. I need to remember that I am never alone. The Lord promises to always be with me as He states in Matthew 28:20, “…I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

God also is always attentive to my prayers. The Bible states in Psalm 34:17, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” He desires to hear my prayers, and He invites me to come before Him with whatever is on my heart. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) I know God cares for me because His Word tells me so. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds me to “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Oh, how He loves me!

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely,
He did something that no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

(from “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus” by Charles Weigle)

“For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.” – Jeremiah 31:25

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Only Jesus can satisfy the longing in one’s soul.