Have you ever watched a baby sleep? Have you ever as parent or a babysitter watched over kids? When my son was four, we were in a large museum in Chicago. I was distracted for a moment and then realized my son was out of my sight. Panic stricken, we immediately searched for him. Fortunately, we found him right away. As parents, we watch over children to protect, guide, love and discipline them. The Lord also watches over us to love, guide, protect and discipline us. We never have to worry that the Lord will be distracted and lose track of us like earthly parents.
In the days of Jeremiah, the Lord was watching over Israel. He could see that they had drifted away from Him and refused to follow His plan for them. He developed a plan to get their attention. No parent likes to discipline their child and the Lord is no different. The Lord knows if He does not discipline us, we will only become more rebellious.
Jeremiah 1: 11 Then the Lord said to me, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.” 12 And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans.” 13 Then the Lord spoke to me again and asked, “What do you see now?” And I replied, “I see a pot of boiling water, spilling from the north.” 14 “Yes,” the Lord said, “for terror from the north will boil out on the people of this land. 15 Listen! I am calling the armies of the kingdoms of the north to come to Jerusalem.[1]
The Lord was watching Israel’s sinful behavior and would correct them with an attack of a foreign power. Through this painful process, God’s people would change for the better. God had a plan for the Messiah to come into the world and Israel was part of that plan. God had to act so that we could be saved through the life and death of Jesus. God’s plan could not unfold unless He took drastic action.
It’s wonderful to know that God is watching over us. It’s not just so that He can make a note of when we get things wrong but so He can protect us and guide us through life’s many twists and turns.
- Proverbs 15:3 – The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. [2]
- Psalm 121:8 – The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. [3]
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You’re watching over me to provide the strength and comfort I need in each situation. I’m sorry for the times I’ve tried to do things in my own strength. I look to You today and put my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
To hear more about Jeremiah, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-call-jeremiah
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.