PSALM 33:18

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

    on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.

TO PONDER

As we approach Christmas and our Christian celebrations, it is also the time of year that most children are reminded, threatened with, and perhaps even bribed, that Santa Claus is always watching their every move. Whether sleeping, awake or whether naughty or nice – he is watching, and he is coming to town!     

The verse from today’s Psalm provides a somewhat similar picture but in a very different context. The message that Santa is forever watching is portrayed in a threatening manner. There is an underlying ultimatum. One of judgement!  Santa is only watching to determine which children receive presents and which do not. 

Verse 18 tells us that God will watch over all who trust and revere Him with unwavering love, care and protection. He watches everything we do. He is our vigilant guardian, like a parent who cannot take their eyes off their young child playing in a park, ensuring their well-being and safeguarding them from harm. The context here is not one of ultimatum or threat but unwavering love involving an everlasting watch over us. Whether we are sleeping or awake.   

We indeed should place our hope in His unfailing love. That is, we should trust and be confident in His unchanging enduring love for us. This hope extends to the security and assurance that we will find in our reliance on God.  His faithful, unfailing love serves as a steadfast anchor in our lives amidst the challenges, disappointments and uncertainties that we encounter. 

We can boldly live our lives as Christians underpinned by our hope in God’s unfailing love. 

PRAYER: Our Vigilant Father in Heaven. Thank you that You constantly watch over me in everything I do. Help me to place my trust and hope in You and Your unfailing, enduring love. Amen  

Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping