Before his eyes
by Tatiana Overduin
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Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13).
Nothing in creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything we think, feel and do is known to God. He knows our thoughts, empathises with our emotions and observes our actions. Nothing is hidden. So, to stand before him is daunting because we know that we are sinful human beings in need of a Saviour. Yet we need not be ‘stuck in our shame, sadness or solitude’. God has provided a most excellent way to live in this broken world.
Defiance to God and rebellion against his word construct a barrier between us, and only a heart of repentance can restore healing to a damaged relationship with him and others. Psalm 139:8 recites, ‘If I go up to heaven, you are there: if I go to the grave, you are there’. Today’s text informs us that all of creation is under the same obligation. The winds and the waves obeyed him (Matthew 8:27).
In our reflections for this week, we have learned that God has asked us to have ears that are open to his guidance and mouths that are prepared to proclaim his saving message and praise his holy name. We observed that his eyes are upon all creation, even in our most inner being, right down to each cell. He is our God, who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases, crowns us with love and compassion, renews our strength, is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounds in unfathomable love. What, then, can we do to repay his goodness and mercy?
His desire for us is to daily repent of our sins and place our complete confidence in him. In Greek, St John’s Gospel repeats the word pisteuo 98 times! God wants us ‘to believe’! He wants us to hear his word through powerful preaching and listen and respond in obedience with open mouths of praise, which in turn, opens our hearts to faith.
All have gone astray like sheep. God has rescued every one of us from precarious peril, swooped us up into his tender arms, comforted, forgiven and led us safely back to the flock. And when we recognise him, we return with gratitude in faith.
Loving Creator God, speak to us daily through your holy word, so we can ponder your wonderful gift and hear your calling without doubt or fear. Let us daily hear and listen to your voice. Let us mind our thoughts, feelings and actions, so we can respond in love to you and our neighbours through reading and meditating on your word. Teach us to believe in your promises every day, so we need not be ashamed but grow in faith to stand atoned before you. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. She lives in Largs North, a seaside location in Adelaide, and has two adult children and six grandchildren. She continues to teach English, History and Religion full-time at a secondary Catholic College. Prior to her teaching degree, she qualified with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Australian Lutheran College (ALC) in 1996, as one of the early groups of female students to graduate from ALC. She enjoys a variety of crafts, art, gardening, singing, writing and swimming.
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