"The LORD watches over the way of the righteous" (Psalm 1:6).
 
When our daughter Ester was small I often took her to a nearby park to play.  After we arrived she would commonly ask me, "Will you watch me Daddy?"  As she played I indeed watched her and she would also keep an eye on me to make certain I was watching her!  As a young child she found security in knowing that I was watching over her, but as a teenager she feels that she no longer needs this element of parental care. At times she even lapses into that dreaded period of rebellion where she resents that I watch over her.

But in our heart to heart talks she makes it clear she still wants and needs my watchful care.  As she grows older she will increasingly understand that a major aspect of parental love is keeping watch over our children.  I'm confident that those of you whose children have grown up and left home are still under your watchful eye, but expressed in a different way than when they were young.
 
"The LORD watches over the way of the righteous."  The righteous find great assurance in this truth. Among my favorite more obscure verses in the Bible is this promise: "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9). The righteous are blessed in the cognizance of God's watchful care.
 
But the rebellious do not desire to be "watched over". One of the first evidences of Adam and Eve's transgression and rebellion against God was a desire to hide.  They didn't want God watching over them.  Rebellion does that.  Millions live their lives wanting nothing to do with God. The apostle Paul writes, "For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret" (Ephesians 5:12).
 
The concept of God watching over His children is a common theme in the Bible, particularly in the Psalms. Here are few verses that bless me: "He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand."  "The LORD watches over all who love Him."  "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."
 
I trust that I am writing to people today who have accepted by faith the sacrificial death of God's Son.  If so, the Bible describes you as "the righteousness that comes by faith." We have essentially two choices today: to live in submission to God or to live in rebellion toward Him.  My decision is to live in submission to God and His Holy Word.  Will you join me?  In doing so we greatly rejoice that "The LORD watches over the way of the righteous."  May you find great assurance in this most important truth today!
 
 
Be encouraged today,
 
 
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
 
Daily prayer: Father, Your watchful eye brings great assurance to my heart as You lead me in the way of the righteous day by day.  You watch over me in my time of recreation and in the midst of my doubts, struggles, and losses.  In times of temptation Your watchful eye and words of Scripture prevent me from yielding to sin.  Protect me from those who seek to do evil as You watch over me day and night. Amen.

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Correction: Yesterday we had a reference slightly wrong and an alert reader called it to our attention. In citing the Bible reference for the verse, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" we mistakenly had Proverbs 4:12 rather than the correct Proverbs 14:12.

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Mel is a friend of mine who has this beautifully restored 1939 John Deere tractor. (I realize that Ester doesn't look very natural on it, but she was anxious to hop on board!)  Click to hear what it sounds like.
The other day I was discussing this distinct sound with several friends at church and we agreed it's one of the great sounds of life on this side of eternity!
I sure do like this song and I think you'll enjoy it as well! John Deere tractor song

Note from Brooksyne:  Someone once said "As long as men design machinery it will always have a loud sound." I believe that to be true since Stephen absolutely enjoys the sound of the John Deere.  He couldn't resist clicking  the replay button to keep the John Deere running as we were preparing the DE today and I wish you could have seen his smile each time he did.  He looked like a 10 year old boy getting ready to get on a farm tractor!

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Additional reading: David Fisher is a Canadian friend of ours who also has a ministry of online encouragement we enjoy called "The Barnabas Blog". Here's a thoughtful message he wrote concerning God's care.

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Today I want to share a song that reminds us of God's unfailing love! Audio
In my search for a song to share this morning I also came across this song by a group called "Victory"

   Please help us continue this free encouragement ministry

Personal Ministry Update