After reading Psalm 33 this morning, I went back through my journal and looked at Psalm 33 entries from the past. There was quite a few of them, the first being in 2008, the first year I started posting my thoughts. A number of them dealt with singing. After all, proclaims the psalmist, “Praise befits the upright” (33:1). In one entry, I noted that on a “praise-per-inch” basis, you’re not gonna get a much better bang for your buck than Psalm 33.

But then I came to the entry for 2017. That year I was behind in my reading plan. While I usually try and track a week or so ahead of plan, that year I was a few days behind. Makes sense. There was a lot going on in February 2017. It was around this time 8 years ago that we brought in hospice and entered our final vigil. My wife went to be with the Lord, February 17th, 2017. Below are my thoughts from February 13th.

Been a few more trials, different types of “deep ends”, since then. For many, our current cultural moment feels a bit overwhelming. But one thing hasn’t changed. His eye is still on the sparrow, and I know He still watches me. (Make sure to watch the video.)

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February 13, 2017

Managed to get some time in my study this morning and catch up on my reading plan. Good to get some quiet time and listen. Word of God speak.

But didn’t get to my computer until early evening. Kind of the way our days have been going lately.

As I was catching up in the psalms, the following verses caught my attention and gave me something to chew on.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
       on those who hope in His steadfast love.    (Psalm 33:18 ESV)

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
       and His ears toward their cry.    (Psalm 34:15 ESV)

Something about knowing you’re being watched that can be kind of intimidating . . . especially if you have something to hide! But there’s also something about knowing you’re being watched that can act as a source of courage and comfort.

I remember my kids when they were little getting ready to try something new. Something they thought was kind of risky and dangerous like jumping into the deep end of the pool by themselves. They’d walk to the deep end. Stand by the edge. Survey the leap they were about to take. Remind themselves that they were pretty sure they’d be able to swim back to the edge. And then, as a final safety check they’d look over at me and say, “Dad, are you watching?”

I was. And all systems were a go. Splash! Into the deep end they went . . . all by themselves.

Life can kind of be like a series of “deep ends.” Something new you have to experience comes along. Something hard or dangerous or simply something you don’t want to have to do. But you know you gotta. Others have done it, so can you.

So you get ready. You know God’s promises are sure and that you really can do all things through Him who strengthens you (Php. 4:13). You believe that His grace really is sufficient and that His power really is made known in your weakness (2Cor. 12:9). And so you’re ready to take that next step. But you still want to look up and say, “Dad, are you watching?”

The songwriter twice reminds me: Yes, He’s watching.

Behold the eye of Abba Father is on those who fear Him, on those who have placed their hope solely in the eternal promise of His steadfast love. The eyes of our Father are locked on His children, fully knowing how scary it is to charter into unknown and unpleasant territory. And He hears their cry.

As I was chewing on the blessedness of being watched by my heavenly Father, a segment from an old (like really old) Gaither DVD came to mind (pardon Michael English’s fashion faux pas). “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me,” they sing over and over again. It brought a smile to my face and a bit of joy induced lightness to my heart. If you have a couple of minutes, click here, sit back, and let it put a bit of a smile on your face — and some praise in your heart — as well.

Yeah, getting a bit of time in the Word and a bit more time on my computer has been a refreshing pause today. Now, back into the deep end.

By His grace. For His glory.