THE EYES, EARS, AND FACE OF THE LORD. 1st Peter 3:12 With waking moments, each day opens with a pattern. Open your eyes first; then wait long moments before you open your mouth. A morning hymn of praise and joy in the mind may come first. A prayer from the lips of the soul follows as we think ahead. Both the hymn and the prayer reach beyond the limits of sight and are heard bringing blessings to the soul. Thoughts previously unknown await us, and discovery brings light as the eyes of the understanding open. Still, the tongue remains behind the closed doors of our lips.
In the broad, expansive pastures of the mind lie green pastures of holy thoughts and spiritual food. The fragrance of sweet thoughts leaves no room for the spoken word. The mind first considers what is read and meditated on, and then the senses blaze with light, instructing us how to proceed in happy fellowship with God. We look above the pages, above the room, above unfolding scenes, because the “love of life” and “good days” come from up there. Silent words form loud thoughts, and we soon find the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit crowding in to fill the waiting vessel.
From God’s fullness, the mind and heart, the emotions and senses, absorb what we learn, placing godliness in its proper place for our daily living. Limited, it is true, yet breathtaking in its fullness. God fills every corner of our being with unseen light, life, grace, and faith, like pillars. Truth rises like a living, moving, breathing sword. Righteousness forms walls to protect us. Peace takes its place, preparing me for the storm outside. Love rises and finds its place everywhere, and then opportunity comes. The tongue and lips are ready to join all the others, and suffering, senses, intellect, and experience join in a sanctified chorus – now let the day begin! Some moments are very special. I don’t want to trivialize them or reduce them to sickly-sweet, sanctimonious babble. But I am grateful that God looks on the heart, not just the outside. The eyes, ears, and face of the Lord are forever open, beholding the evil and the good. Never slumbering or sleeping, seeing the lonely in the desert or a city. And yet, from morning to night, he watches over His own, preserving, protecting those who are afar or near at home. For these are the righteous, the children He chose. His gaze watches carefully each one of those.
Every idle word He hears and remembers, from the cry of the sparrow that falls to the ground, to the sounds of marching armies and dying men. Those who take His name in vain are guilty, and yet the first prayer of thanksgiving, as the Spirit gives the words of God, brings repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The prayer from the bed in the darkest night is heard. The final prayer from one who is next to heaven, the Lord hears, and is focused on those He has forgiven.
His face is so bright that the sun hides its face from it, like thunder clouds directed toward evil. His countenance is like lightning. He observes every dark act, everywhere, always. And yet, one who, in the rush of first evil, is verily condemned; one whose arrogance denies God's right to the end; one who knows better but, for love of darkness, turns away. The face of the Lord is now against them, and will be in a future day. The Lord approves of righteousness and answers their prayers. His face is against those who do evil.