THE EYES OF THE LORD

 

Saturday, May 13, 2023

 

THE EYES OF THE LORD

 

1 Sam 26:20

20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

 

[Arabs, will flush partridges so often that they will eventually be too tired to fly. When this happens, they are easily captured or killed with clubs. Adam Clarke’s Commentary]

 

1 Sam 26:23-25

23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand today, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD's anointed.

24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

 

          The phrase the eyes of the Lord can be found in the Authorized Version twenty-two times and all but one of those times in the Old Testament. Here we see that David had, by serendipity, an opportunity to slay his enemy, Saul. The king had answered nature’s call in the shadows of the very cave in which David and his men were hiding.

 

          David could have easily killed Saul but did not for one foundational reason. Saul was the “anointed of the Lord.” Saul was spared not by his disposition but by his position. He was king and David would not cut short God’s program just to relieve himself of trouble.  He did, however, cut short Saul’s garment while Saul was at a disadvantage.

 

          God sees all these things 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.” 2 Chron 16:9

 

1 Peter 3:10-12

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: [treachery and deceit]

11 Let him eschew [turn away and shun] evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue [work to make it happen].

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the [stern] face of the Lord is against them that do evil. [to oppose, to frustrate, and defeat them]

 

Dear Lord, you see everything including the motives of those you see. Let your eyes see righteousness in me and give grace for the rest. AMEN