He Sees, He Knows, and Payday is Coming

I grew up in southeast Oklahoma in the heart of tornado alley.  I have many vivid memories as a little boy joining other members of my extended family in my grandmother’s underground cellar while we waited for storms to pass.  This was a common occurrence in the springtime in our little part of the world.  The sights, sounds and even smells of these times will forever be imbedded in my mind.

Weather forecasting was not as sophisticated then as it is now.  It seemed most afternoons and evenings in the spring were the same – we would be under a tornado watch.  We were taught a tornado watch meant conditions were right for a tornado – this was so common it did not produce much concern.  Things would heat up, however, when we were under a tornado warning.  The warning meant a tornado had actually been spotted.  The Oakes siblings and their children (my mother’s family) did not have to be told twice what to do when a tornado warning was issued – we headed for the cellar!

Meteorology has advanced greatly from those days I have referenced here.  Radar has become so highly developed and complex.  Today, a tornado warning will be issued before a funnel is ever visibly seen because radar is capable of seeing them before people can.  These radar are so accurate, they will tell you what time your community – even your street address – can expect the storm to pass over.  It is amazing!  If these had existed in my childhood I probably wouldn’t have this nervous twitch every time I think of that damp musty storm cellar in my grandmother’s back yard!

The state-of-the-art, ultramodern tools available to forecast weather, today, have nothing on the heavenly radar God has been using since the beginning of time (I know God does not need or use radar but work with me here!).  Nothing has ever gotten by the Father.  Solomon wrote, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3) He sees our behavior, discerns our motives, and knows the very dictates of our hearts.  He does not miss a thing.

From childhood I was taught this fact – God is always watching.  This lesson was usually given in the context of improper behavior.  From songs we sang to Sunday School lessons – from fiery Sunday night sermons to parental discipline – I knew I could not get away with anything.  I have to admit, even to this day, if I forget to take my gum out of my mouth when I enter the sanctuary or forget to say the blessing over my meal, I quickly repent for fear I may miss the rapture if it occurred right then!  I did not hear a whole lot about grace as a child, but the living right part was made crystal clear!  Obviously, there is some exaggeration here but those of you raised as I was know this is not too far from how it really was!

Lately I have been giving a great deal of thought to the flip side to this coin – God doesn’t just see the bad things going on in the world but He is taking note of the faithfulness of His people. Every day committed Christians are serving and looking for ways to please the Lord – not for praise or fame but just because it is what they do.  Doing the will of God is simply in the DNA of a disciple of Jesus and no good deed will go unnoticed or unrewarded by our heavenly Father.

Throughout my life I have been influenced by men and women who without recognition or notoriety have faithfully served the Lord.  They have been small church pastors…missionaries in remote parts of the world…laity who sacrificed to support ministry…people who loved God more than anything and were willing to give all to serve Him.  These folks will never have their stories written in a book or receive great accolades in this world.  The spotlight will never be on them and few people outside their circle will ever hear about them, but God has seen – He knows – and payday is coming!

I am grateful for Godly leaders who have a platform and use it carefully to proclaim the full Gospel of the Lord, Jesus.  There are many humble men and women whom God has called to prominent places and their voices are a clarion call in this sinful age.  But as I consider the big picture of the Kingdom, I am convinced the greatest impact is being made by the unseen warriors who pray in the closet, give in secret, and daily take up their cross and follow Him.  These are the movers and shakers.  These are those who strike fear in the devil himself.  These are the ones who have been faithful over a few things but will be made ruler over many.

A winning football team is usually known for its star quarterback or running back.  Occasionally there will be a defensive player who gets a lot of press time but, rarely, will the offensive linemen get the attention they deserve.  These big guys who line up in the trenches nose to nose against the opposing team may not get the mentions some other players get but their success will always determine the success of the team.  If they do their job well, the chances of their team winning increase greatly.  If they fail to do their job, the chance for victory is tremendously decreased.

These offensive linemen may not get the public attention they deserve but I guarantee their coach notices.  When the film from the previous game is being reviewed, that coach will always see the fulfilled assignments of his players.  Great satisfaction comes to the player and the coach when they know the job was well done.  The fulfillment of the assignment is enough to motivate the selfless player to suit up for another game next week.

We are in the game of our life – it is a game of life or death.  The regular season has concluded and the playoffs are in full swing.  The season is almost over.  I cannot stop – I cannot even slow down.  I cannot be concerned with what position I am called to play.  I cannot be moved by the cheers from the crowd or the lack thereof.  I have a job to do.  I must get it done.  I will be rewarded, not for my talent or skill, but for my faithfulness.  I want to be faithful whatever the cost.

I sometimes wonder if the Apostle Paul were to come to our church, today, and preach one sermon, what would he preach.  There is so much he wrote that would be appropriate for us but it would not surprise me if he took his text from I Corinthians 15:58 –

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

This is the message for every believer.  Keep standing.  Be determined.  Keep serving.  Be faithful.  God is watching and He is keeping good records.  He sees when no one else does and He has a magnificent reward that will never fade away awaiting those who finish well.  That is the goal for which we are striving – to finish well and hear Him say, “Well done.”  That will be our final victory.  It is coming soon!