“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight …” (Psalm 51:4)
Each king in Israel or Judah had his life summed up in one of two ways: he either did good or evil in the sight of the Lord. In the end, how we’ve appeared to men will not matter. They may sing our praises in life and canonize us in death, or they may curse our memory. Their assessment, good or bad, will have no bearing on what God has to say about us. He renders the final verdict. He will judge the world according to the truth. He sees what men cannot see, and He judges according to His standard.
Men hide from men their shame; but nothing, not even our thoughts, are hid from God. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb. 4:13) To live and walk before God, conscious of His eyes upon us, is the basis of true worship.
When no one else was in sight, Joseph would not succumb to temptation because he knew God was watching him. Jesus stayed true to God for forty lonely days in the wilderness. True worshippers of God don’t need an audience of men to worship their God. Their heart is His sanctuary where they offer their love and devotion through the choices they make.
The evil that David committed in the sight of the Lord was great, but an isolated event. Yet, in those moments when we forget God and His eyes which are upon us, our life story can be marred, if not wholly written. David cried out after his fall: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:10,11)
Repentance brings restoration to the presence of God. It is a recommitment to walk before Him in obedience. The temple is cleansed; the worship due to a worthy God recommences.
Let us cherish life in the sight of God!