A Patient Alert

(Proverbs 15:3 KJV)  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

There is an interesting pattern going on here.  Every verse from one to nine starts off with a statement of behavior, uses the conjunction “but” and has a concluding resolution.  In this verse the conjunction would be “and”.  There are a wealth of actions we can take.  There are many attitudes we can display.  God is aware of them all, “evil” (7451a) and “good” (2896a).

All it says here is that God is “beholding" (watching NASB) (6822).  This is the warning phase.  It is the promise that God is on the job.  It is a reminder that you can’t fool Him.  It doesn’t say so here but it should also remind us that God is hoping for repentance and atonement.  Later verses will deal with the consequences of ignoring this reality.

So?  We have time.  God has also given us that.  In addition to being holy and jealous, God is loving and patient.  I rejoice in the waiting He has done in my life.  I thank Him for all the times He has not lashed out at me.