How should we feel when know the Lord turns and looks at us?
By Dean Collins
“And the Lord turned and looked…”
Psalms and other places in Scripture tell us God is watching over us. If you grew up in a household of faith, you were probably comforted at bedtime with assurances that God takes care of you while you sleep. God does watch over us as he watches over all of his creation.
In 2 Chronicles after King Asa had bargained with neighboring kingdoms to support and protect Judah, God delivered a harsh message to the king because he relied on kings and their armies for protection and deliverance instead of God. In the middle of this reprimand, we read these familiar words: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”
What encouragement we have knowing that God is constantly looking across the landscape to see our faithfulness and to provide support, strong support for us when our hearts and minds are focused on him.
Sifted as wheat
But sometimes it is uncomfortable when the Lord looks at us. Peter had probably the most famous occurrence of discomfort on the night that Jesus was betrayed. It is one thing to know God is watching over us, but when he sees us stumble and even act as if we don’t know him, it brings a very different feeling.
Just hours before his denial, Peter had boldly proclaimed he would go with Jesus to both prison and death. Maybe Peter had some inkling of what was ahead for Jesus. Peter was still reeling from the announcement that one of the twelve, Judas, would betray Jesus. In the final moments in the upper room, the intensity of the coming events became increasingly obvious. Jesus, having just quieted the discussion of who would be the greatest, addressed Peter and told him that Satan demanded to have him and sift him like wheat. What a startling statement. Echoes of the beginning of the book of Job come to mind as we consider it.
Greek scholars tell us that while Jesus did call Peter’s name, the “you” is plural, suggesting that Satan intended to sift all of the disciples who were following Jesus. But next we read that Jesus then announced he had prayed for them all. And the text tells us he prayed for them by name. Luke’s words say Jesus prayed for Peter, that his faith would not fail. But he continued by stating, “When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” It was then that Peter pushed back claiming his bold allegiance no matter what happened in the coming hours.
Hearing that things will be difficult and actually facing those intense moments are two different things. How many times we have prayed for others when they went through hard times, lost a loved one, got their diagnoses, or lost their jobs? But when it was us in those very same situations, we felt much different. When crisis hits, it is not uncommon to falter.
Knows our names
But consider that God knows our names just as he knew Simon Peter’s name. Consider that when others pray for us they bring our names to God’s attention. I am grateful for the many people who pray for me daily. Neither you nor I know how many people and how many times we are prayed for, but at times it may be in the hundreds or even thousands. God knows our name and he answers prayers!
In the case of Peter, Jesus gave a shocking revelation. He told Peter that before the rooster crowed in the early hours of the morning, Peter would have denied that he even knew Jesus—not once but three times. That would have been hard to hear. But in the following hours that is exactly what happened.
Luke recorded the moment. The rooster had crowed. It appears that no words were spoken between Jesus and Peter and they were likely even out of speaking distance when it happened. “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter and Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him.”
It is painful when we come face-to-face with our sin, but we must. Otherwise, we get comfortable and complacent. When what we perceive as the little sins are left untended and confessed, they can easily grow. Satan can and will sift us, too, as he seeks to interfere with the purposes of God in us and in those around us.
Looking to and fro
In John’s Gospel, he records what Luke didn’t tell us in his account of these last days of Jesus. John lets us know that the prayer of Jesus was answered. Yes, Peter did deny he knew Jesus. But afterward, days and even weeks afterward, Peter came around and looked into the eyes of Jesus. This time he was close enough to hear Jesus when Jesus told him to feed his sheep.
We will all stumble. Satan will tempt, will distract, and at times even shake us. But just as Peter heard Jesus forgive him and refocus his life on kingdom work, Jesus will do the same for us. And he does, over and over again.
Just like yesterday and all the days before, God is looking to and fro throughout the earth, both forgiving us when we ask but also giving us an extra push of support when he catches us in our faithfulness. He supports us because he loves us and because he has plans for us that are good.
Lord, we confess that like Peter, we often trip. We allow our selfishness to win. We fail to rely on you. And we sin. Forgive us. Thank you for knowing our names and for hearing our prayers and the prayers others pray for us. Thank you for restoring us. We are amazed by your constant gaze that even seeks to catch us in our good moments. We thank you for your constant support of us and of the kingdom work you have allowed us to participate in with you. Use us today for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Luke 22:31-34; 61-62; 2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV
Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Unsplash
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