“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
Am I the sea, or a sea monster,
that you set a guard over me?..
I loathe my life; I would not live forever.
Leave me alone, for my days are a breath.
What is man, that you make so much of him,
and that you set your heart on him,
visit him every morning
and test him every moment?
How long will you not look away from me,
nor leave me alone till I swallow my spit?
If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of mankind?
Why have you made me your mark?
Why have I become a burden to you?” Job 7:11-12,16-20
“What is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.”
“You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 8:4-5; 139:2-10
Job in his misery desired death over the ministrations of God. Could the mighty One not leave him alone to suffer? David in his smallness could not comprehend the intimate involvement and concern of God. This Sovereign knew him inside out and was always near- discerning, keeping, watching, tending. The Lord sets His keen and caring eye on His children whether they desire it or not, true to His character and always to their good.
The abiding presence in our lives should bring comfort and a sense of well-being, yet sometimes we chafe at the holy intrusion in our otherwise selfish lives. Ever with us, He refines, convicts, and directs, when in the flesh we may want to set our own course and do what we want, answering to no-one but desire. How do we receive this Watcher of mankind?
What miseries are we nursing in self-pity or anger that have hardened our hearts toward the Lord’s involvement? What issues would we rather ignore and not deal with, that His presence brings to light? Would we seek Him to renew our minds and change rebuffing to receptivity to His ever-present, loving, righteous care? What difference would we ask Him to make in our attitude toward life circumstances that can show off His strong love for His own? (Romans 8:35-39)
Keep me grateful and faithful, O Watcher of mankind, and ever honoring Your presence and purposes.
As the rain and snow 