Proverbs 5:21 (ESV)
²¹ For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.

How often do you do things in secret? If your answer is never, you would be right about that. While we sometimes try to hide things from man, we can never hide anything from God. So, we never do anything in absolute secrecy. In one of the most amazing statements about God in the Bible, the Hebrews writer wrote, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

This truth is both reassuring and intimidating at the same time. We should take comfort in the fact that God is always with us. This is something of which the Bible often reminds us to encourage us. David said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” (Psalm 23:4). Through the prophet Isaiah, God reminds us that He is with us no matter how difficult things become.

Isaiah 43:1-2 (ESV)
¹ But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Before Jesus ascended back to the Father, He comforted the apostles by telling them, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We are not surprised to hear these words coming from our Lord. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him that the child his wife, Mary, was carrying would be called Immanuel meaning, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

These are very comforting passages. All the passages that speak of the presence of God, however, are not meant to comfort us. The passage in Proverbs 5:21, along with many other passages, is set forth as a warning; an exhortation to live right before God. We do well to remember that everything we do, every word we utter, even every thought we think, are before the all-seeing eyes and ever-hearing ears of God.

Psalm 139:1-6 (ESV)
¹ O LORD, you have searched me and known me! ² You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. ³ You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. ⁵ You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

David was right, we cannot comprehend the incredible knowledge of God. It is hard to fathom a being who knows everything about everybody, but it will help us to live better lives if we keep this in mind. Of course, that is only true if we fear God, realizing that it is before Him that we shall someday give an account (Romans 14:10-12). If we believe this, and we know that He is aware of our every action, we will be careful to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. Are you living wisely in word and deed? Remember, our ways are always before the eyes of the Lord.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.