In the Lord of the Rings, the searching eye of Sauron would immediately locate the ring bearer whenever the ring was worn. Sauron’s eye gazed at the wearer of the ring because of the power the ring possessed.
Yahweh, far from a creepy, despotic, rogue eye, also searches out and gazes upon individuals. But, still, do you want the eye of Yahweh upon you? According to Scripture the face of Yahweh upon His people constituted a blessing for them (Numbers 6:23-26, Psalm 4:6, Psalm 31: 16, Psalm 80:19).Thus Yahweh’s eye upon an individual blesses instead of threatens. But what attracts the stare of Yahweh?
Isaiah 66:2 states, “But to this one I will look (gaze), to him who is humble and contrite of spirit and who trembles at my word.” Isaiah is describing those who recognize their own perpetual neediness and dependence upon God. They are broken from their own self-reliance and acknowledge that without God’s sustaining presence, they are unable to draw their next breath. Thus, they eagerly await the next life-giving exhale of God—knowing that they live by what comes out of His mouth.
So, how are you doing with the whole utter dependence thing? Would you attract the eye of Yahweh? Not a chance! And I wouldn’t either. However, there is One who always attracts the eye of Yahweh and He goes ever before me. Because I have clothed myself through faith in the gospel with the humility of Christ, the eye of Yahweh gazes upon me. Praise the Lord!
Now that I am clothed in the righteousness of Christ, as I learn to see God and His holiness and me and my sinfulness, I can grow in practical humility and experience more of God’s grace. As C. J. Mahaney has said, it isn’t true that God helps those who help themselves, but rather God helps those who HUMBLE themselves!
Now on to working out that utter dependence on a moment by moment basis in my daily life until He comes for me.