“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)
Our eyes serve us in many ways, but their most significant function is to keep us aware of our surroundings. A great disadvantage for someone who’s blind is that they are not aware of what’s going on around them.
Of course, God does not have eyes as we do; but Scripture makes reference to “God’s eyes” so we can better understand just how fully aware He is of what goes on in His world. God wants us to know that it is impossible to hide from His face.
The book of Hebrews tells us that, “all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” “All things” means everything. Everything, everywhere by everyone is open and naked to His gaze. He sees all. He knows all. And He remembers all.
What does this reality mean for each one of us?
It means that Christ knows whether we listen to and obey His Word and voice. He knows how loving we are to one another, how hopeful we are, how sinful we are, how much we keep… or neglect His commands. He knows what thoughts and affections are stirring in our hearts at every moment. He knows how committed we are to our devotional life. He knows whether we’re excited about our spiritual growth and sanctification… or not.
There’s no escaping God’s presence (Ps. 139:7-12). This is comforting for those whose desire is to walk with Him, and at the same time quite disturbing for those who want to wander and believe no one is watching.
Jonathan Edwards wrote, “I am resolved to live with all my might, while I do live.” When the old reformers were heard to say “live coram deo,” or “live before the face of God,” this is exactly what they had in mind: to live holy and blameless before His face.
Because God exists everywhere in the fullness of His being as Spirit, He is always with you and always sees you, even to the innermost thoughts and intentions of your heart.
May this truth inspire us to live before Him in such a way that our words and actions, our thoughts and intentions, are pleasing in His sight. And let us never forget God is fully aware of every action in every day, over the course of our entire lives – our affections, dispositions, and spiritual aims – because we cannot hide from God. To this God that we are to adore, we are naked and open to His eyes.
- Lord, Your Word tells me that I cannot hide from You. There is no place where You are not. There is no deed or even motive so secret that You do not know it. You know all. You see all. And as the psalmist says, even darkness is as light to You (Ps. 139:12).
- Not only that, Lord, but the past, the present, and the future are all alike to You. While I am bound to time and place, You dwell in eternity and transcend all boundaries of space and time. I find comfort in the truth that You remember ever detail of the past perfectly, no matter how long ago it occurred. And nothing that will happen in the future will come as a surprise to You, as You know the future perfectly as well.
- No creature is hidden from Your sight, because You are light, and in You there is no darkness. Man, the pinnacle of Your creation, is invited to walk in that light, so that he may see more clearly. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path,” (Ps. 119:105). You said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” (John 8:12). We may hide things from our fellow man, but nothing is hidden from You.
Further References for Hebrews 4:13
Job 26:6; Ps. 33:13; 2 Chron. 16:9; Job 34:21; 1 Sam. 16:7; Prov. 5:21
