Ezra 5:5
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
There is a valuable truth here in this verse that I want you to see. It concerns “The Eye of the Lord.” Now, certainly, unless you are talking about the Lord Jesus Christ (God manifest in the flesh), God does not have an eye. This phraseology is what is called an anthropomorphism. An anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities, especially God. These types of comparisons help us, in our feeble understanding, to comprehend better the nature of our God.
When the Bible says that the eye of God was upon them, it indicates that God cares for them, and watches over them. Now this idea of God’s eye being upon us may be a comforting thought or a troubling thought, but we need to consider this.
Notice, in the Bible, a few places where it tells us who God’s eye is upon.
God’s eye is on them that fear Him
Psalm 33:18
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
God’s eye is on the righteousness -
Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry.
God’s eye is on those with a perfect heart.
You may say, “Uh-oh, that leaves me out!” But this idea of a “perfect heart” may not be what you are thinking.
Read 2 Chronicles 16:9
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. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
The word “perfect” means “whole, wholly devoted, fully committed.” I believe that each one of us can have a heart like that. We can at least strive for it!
1 Kings 8:61
Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Many beautiful songs have been written about the eye of the Lord.
Here is one.
His Eye is on the Sparrow -
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Oh, the blessed thought…The Eye of the Lord
This thought invigorates us - God is Watching - Stay after it....Get Busy…Work diligently!
This thought inspires us - God is Watching…Let’s do our best!
This thought empowers us - God is watching…We are able, through Him.
How did these people in Ezra know God’s eye was upon them?
Their eye must have been upon him!
Here is another beautiful song -
“Turn your Eye’s Upon Jesus”
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
You may be in a difficult place today, as was Hagar in the Bible. Hagar was in a desperate condition. The thought and experience that comforted, strengthened, and guided her coalesced around a Hebrew word. That word was a name. That name was El-Roi. This name means, “Thou God Seest me.” God saw her and helped her. Read the story in Genesis 16 and know that God sees and God can help!
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