I guess my expectation when reading through Proverbs is that I’ll encounter practical tips for sound living. I’m anticipating down-to-earth counsel that, if heeded, will affect my behavior. But this morning I was a bit surprised to come across some “high and lofty” truth concerning my God . . . clear teaching on one of His defining attributes . . . which, as I think about it, also has a way of affecting my behavior.

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3 ESV)

A reminder this morning of the omnipresence of God. His eyes are in every place. He sees it all . . . nothing gets by my God . . . whether evil or good, it is registered by a God who is capable of noticing it all. Think about it!!! Not an action, nor a word, nor a thought escapes Jehovah, the “Existing One.” Just spend a couple of seconds thinking about that kind of evokes a couple of responses . . . “Awesome!!!” . . . “Yikes!!!”

Just how big is my God? Way big!!! It’s so easy to just skim over a Scripture like this without at least trying to take it in and comprehend something of what it says about our God. Nothing is beyond His awareness. I can’t hide from God . . . I don’t need to let God in on what’s happening . . . His eyes are in every place. These are the sort of reminders that prevent us from “downsizing” our God . . . from fitting Him into a box of our own making . . . from somehow thinking He’s “manageable.” No . . . our God is beyond comprehension . . . His capacity for knowledge and understanding doesn’t even register on any scale we can imagine . . . our God is God — nothing less.

And when by faith I really start to get this, then the another stream of thought surfaces, “So, He watches everything I do? He knows every thought I think?” . . . Yup!!! And that has a way of impacting one’s behavior, too.

“Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of men!” (Proverbs 15:11  ESV)

The all seeing eyes of God see into the secret places . . . even the places of Hell and Destruction . . . even into the hearts of men . . . all of it laid bare before Him. Now it starts to get a bit personal. I’m ok with God knowing everything about everyone else . . . but me? . . . His eyes are keeping watch on my actions? . . . He knows all about my good . . . and about my evil? I find myself saying with the Psalmist, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:6) Do I fully understand it? No. Do I believe it? Yes.

And what then amazes me is that, knowing all He knows, God still wants to be intricately involved. Jesus says He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks and asks to be let in (Rev. 3:20). He requests entrance not to discover what’s in there — He already knows . . . but that He might be invited in to complete the work of redemption He’s started. Far from using the knowledge of His all seeing eyes to judge and condemn, He graciously asks to be allowed to interact with my inner man. He wants to dine, to fellowship, together . . . purifying my heart through His abiding presence . . . conforming my heart to His heart through His sanctifying Spirit.

So, maybe this is some practical instruction for sound living. When I get this . . . God’s omnipresence . . . God’s omniscience . . . it affects my behavior. I’m mindful of how I walk knowing He is everywhere and sees all I do . . . I’m aware of what motivates me knowing He knows all I think . . . and, I want to put out the “welcome mat”, inviting Him in, knowing that He wants to redeem all that I am. By His grace . . . and for His glory . . .