God is Watching; Proverbs 5; Psalm 30

May the mumbling commence!

“Be careful little hands what you do, do, do… cause there’s a Father up above and He’s looking down in love.  Be careful little hands what you do.”  I would guess that the words to this old children’s hymn are familiar to quite a few of us.  And be assured: God is watching us.  Read from Proverbs chapter five:

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord,

And He ponders all his paths. 

His own iniquities entrap the wicked man,

And he is caught in the cords of his sin. 

He shall die for lack of instruction,

And in the greatness of his folly

he shall go astray. (Verses 21-23)

Let us think long and hard before we say or do anything.  God knows our business – better than we do ourselves.  We may not anticipate it, but our own iniquity will ensnare us.  We will be caught in the cords we were hoping to set up for someone else.

We think we know that way that we want to go, so we ignore instruction can correction.  We think we know the way.  We have no need for a GPS.  Yes, we think all these things; and, then, find ourselves woefully lost – gone astray.

Turn us around, O God.  Turn us back to rightful relationships.  Let us proclaim along with the psalmist in Psalm thirty:

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Verses 11-12)

As we return to You, O Lord, may our mourning be shed off for dancing.  May our clothing of penitence in sackcloth be replaced by the joyful and colorful clothing of gladness, peace, and joy.  If You would be so good to do these things, You will be pleased with the result.

Any glory that we may receive is made payable only our Almighty One.  We will burst forth in praise.  We cannot remain silent!  We give thanks ever and always.  Yes, we give thanks daily – even outside of the month of thanksgiving, November.

Guide us, O Holy Spirit, in these days of Advent.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out