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"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).
One of the most remarkable devices used in quality control in modern manufacturing is the optical scanner. I toured a large potato chip plant where potatoes harvested from the fields enter a huge machine on one end and at the other end emerge as potato chips. (I've eaten them right off the line and the fresh, warm chips are sooo incredibly delicious!)
On the finished end there's a 4-foot wide conveyer belt moving at 90 mph. On this belt the chips are individually spread out. An optical scanner examines every chip as it passes by. Two feet from the scanner another machine blows a puff of air precisely at any chip the scanner determines defective and removes it from the lot. I marveled as I watched and considered the incredibly precise calibration needed to make this all work!
But there's an infinitely greater divine scan that is always taking place. A wonderful Old Testament verse gives great assurance to true believers of all generations. "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." Amazingly our sovereign God is watching over us right now. "His eyes range throughout the earth." (His eyes "run to and fro" KJV.)
The apostle Peter quotes Psalm 34:15, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer" (1 Peter 3:12). There is purposefulness in God's watching over us. He does so to "strengthen us," not to zap us. My, I sure do need to be strengthened today, don't you? I am thankful that God's strength is absolutely adequate for any need I am presently experiencing or any need that will arise in the course of this day.
We have a responsibility however. He is looking for "those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." Today I again want to commit my life to the Lord and His cause. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, whatever you're going through today, I ask you to join me in making this commitment.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, You are our Spiritual Covering as we carry out our duties on this day. In the midst of our interaction with others, our work responsibilities, our commute and other ordinary activities there are numerous temptations seeking to pull us downward. You know our areas of weakness where we're vulnerable to the enemy and You desire to strengthen us as our hearts are fully committed to You. Thank You for Your relentless devotion to us, Your children, and for assuring us that we're never out of Your care. Amen.
Note from Brooksyne: Ester has an ongoing struggle in one area of her life where the enemy wants to defeat her (true for all of us as well.) We talked about it last night before bedtime and I reviewed with her the Christian Armor from Ephesians 6 reminding her that Christ equips us with the weaponry we need to fight the enemy. This morning as we sat down at the breakfast table she pointed to her belt and with a big smile said, "When I put on my belt this morning I thought of the 'belt of truth.'" I was thankful that she remembered and I hope she is reminded throughout the day of this important armor. Since the Bible describes the devil to be like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour I'm especially grateful that the eyes of the Lord are upon those we pray for strengthening them and protecting them from the devouring enemy. "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him" (Isaiah 59:19).
One aspect of my study is using various translations to help me understand verses. Here are two other translations of today's verse:
"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." (NASB)
"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." (New Living Translation)
Today as we considered a song that would reinforce today's message we recalled a song that was originally made popular by Dallas Holm written by Phil Johnson. Here's an online audio version of the song "I've Never Been Out Of His Care"
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Like many who enjoy feeding birds we find the squirrels are hungry also and compete for the seeds! Thankfully, this year the squirrels have been doing a little janitorial work as they sweep up the fallen seeds on the ground and devour them.
Like many who enjoy feeding birds we find the squirrels are hungry also and compete for the seeds! Thankfully, this year the squirrels have been doing a little janitorial work as they sweep up the fallen seeds on the ground and devour them.
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"The Divine Scan"
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).
One of the most remarkable devices used in quality control in modern manufacturing is the optical scanner. I toured a large potato chip plant where potatoes harvested from the fields enter a huge machine on one end and at the other end emerge as potato chips. (I've eaten them right off the line and the fresh, warm chips are sooo incredibly delicious!)
On the finished end there's a 4-foot wide conveyer belt moving at 90 mph. On this belt the chips are individually spread out. An optical scanner examines every chip as it passes by. Two feet from the scanner another machine blows a puff of air precisely at any chip the scanner determines defective and removes it from the lot. I marveled as I watched and considered the incredibly precise calibration needed to make this all work!
But there's an infinitely greater divine scan that is always taking place. A wonderful Old Testament verse gives great assurance to true believers of all generations. "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." Amazingly our sovereign God is watching over us right now. "His eyes range throughout the earth." (His eyes "run to and fro" KJV.)
The apostle Peter quotes Psalm 34:15, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer" (1 Peter 3:12). There is purposefulness in God's watching over us. He does so to "strengthen us," not to zap us. My, I sure do need to be strengthened today, don't you? I am thankful that God's strength is absolutely adequate for any need I am presently experiencing or any need that will arise in the course of this day.
We have a responsibility however. He is looking for "those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." Today I again want to commit my life to the Lord and His cause. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, whatever you're going through today, I ask you to join me in making this commitment.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, You are our Spiritual Covering as we carry out our duties on this day. In the midst of our interaction with others, our work responsibilities, our commute and other ordinary activities there are numerous temptations seeking to pull us downward. You know our areas of weakness where we're vulnerable to the enemy and You desire to strengthen us as our hearts are fully committed to You. Thank You for Your relentless devotion to us, Your children, and for assuring us that we're never out of Your care. Amen.
Note from Brooksyne: Ester has an ongoing struggle in one area of her life where the enemy wants to defeat her (true for all of us as well.) We talked about it last night before bedtime and I reviewed with her the Christian Armor from Ephesians 6 reminding her that Christ equips us with the weaponry we need to fight the enemy. This morning as we sat down at the breakfast table she pointed to her belt and with a big smile said, "When I put on my belt this morning I thought of the 'belt of truth.'" I was thankful that she remembered and I hope she is reminded throughout the day of this important armor. Since the Bible describes the devil to be like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour I'm especially grateful that the eyes of the Lord are upon those we pray for strengthening them and protecting them from the devouring enemy. "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him" (Isaiah 59:19).
One aspect of my study is using various translations to help me understand verses. Here are two other translations of today's verse:
"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." (NASB)
"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." (New Living Translation)
Today as we considered a song that would reinforce today's message we recalled a song that was originally made popular by Dallas Holm written by Phil Johnson. Here's an online audio version of the song "I've Never Been Out Of His Care"
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