Are You Out of Balance?

 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

I have found that many of our problems originate from being out of balance. We often have a tendency to “swing” too far right or too far left. For instance, take our appetite. I enjoy having a good meal. Whether at a restaurant or at home but an appetite that is out of balance may lead to gluttony. Proverbs 23:1-3 Swing too far the other way and you fall anorexia. God has given us the desire for physical relationships but it also must be balanced. God’s plan was for that desire to be fulfilled in the bounds of marriage not to engaged to fulfill lust. 1 Cor. 2:7-5

Which brings me to Proverbs 15:3. As a child, and even a young Christ-follower, I viewed this text to mean God was spying on me. I thought He was a celestial cop watching for me to get out of line before punishing me. It is true God doesn’t miss it when we do wrong. Knowing God is watching should keep us from sin. It’s like driving on the interstate and seeing radar. We instinctively reduce our speed. But we do not have to fear if we are doing the speed limit.

But a balanced view of God reminds us that He also sees the good we do. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:5-6

God is our loving Father who only wants what is best for us. Just as our earthly fathers watch over us to keep us from danger, so God keeps His loving eyes on us.