Sometimes we wonder if God truly sees or cares about what we’re doing. But in this passage, God makes very clear that he does see and that he does care.
Ezekiel in this vision was taken to Jerusalem, and was shown the evil that was rampant there.
First he saw the idols in the inner court of the temple. Then he looked through a wall where seventy elders of Israel were offering incense to false gods.
When he returned to the temple gate, he saw women worshiping Tammuz, a god of fertility and rain. And finally, he saw a group of men worshiping the sun.
Why were they doing all this? Basically, they were saying to themselves,
The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land. (Ezekiel 8:12)
And so God brought judgment on them.
But just as he sees the evil that is hidden, he also sees the good.
In Ezekiel’s vision, God told a man to put a mark on the foreheads of all those who grieved over the sin that was being committed around them. And when judgment came upon the idolaters, those God had marked were spared.
What do we take from this? God does see everything we do, whether anyone else knows or not. Our sins are not hidden from him, and he will bring judgment on those who sin against him.
But at the same time, let us who follow God and mourn over the sin we see in this world not get discouraged. Let us remember that though evil may reign for a time, God will ultimately bring justice.
And when that time comes, he will remember those of us who clung to him despite the evil we saw around us and spare us.
But not only will he spare us, he will reward us.
Lord, I thank you that you see everything. That nothing is hidden from you.
Lord, let my life be pure both in private and in public, that wherever I am or whoever I am with, my life may be pleasing to you.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 