“The eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.” (Deuteronomy 11:12) The Israelites were almost into the Promised Land. God knows what they will face during the year. God inspires Moses to speak to the people at the beginning of the year.
In 1451 B.C., the Jews begin the year in the wilderness in wandering and suffering, but during this year, they will cross the Jordon River. This same year, they will fight and win the battle of Jericho. This same year, 1451, they will lose the battle of Ai because of the secret sin of Achan. The same year, 1451, they will conquer the land of Canaan. In 1451, they will wander in the wilderness, cross the Jordon, be victorious at Jericho, get defeated at Ai, and conquer the land of Canaan all in one year. God is revealing through Moses that this year, the eyes of the Lord are upon his people. And so it is true for us today.
The keyword is “always.” We may be in the wilderness this year. God doesn’t spot-check his children in the wilderness; He always watches.
We would like to start the New Year with mirth and new hopes, and fresh beginnings. However, wilderness may darken our sunshine with tears at the Babyland Cemetery. Divorce may shatter your dreams of a home and family. You may shed some tears in the hospital room for a loved one who has just been diagnosed with a terminal disease. But the eyes of the Lord are always upon you from the beginning of the year, even unto the end. This year will also bring you victories of Canaan land. Perhaps you will be so proud of a child who is graduating from school. Maybe your eyes will tear up to witness a daughter becoming a bride and watch as the little girl you knew becomes a woman. Perhaps a job promotion or the purchase of a new home will inspire you to experience the security of your efforts. The eyes of the Lord will be upon you from the beginning to the end of the year.
Zechariah 4:10, “For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”
God also searches to see the small things. God notices your feelings deep behind the public courtesy smile. God sees your feelings of rejection, your disappointments, your quiet achievements. Your child may not be a sports star because it’s difficult when you were born with limitations. But the child participates in the Special Olympics and wins by participation, and in that small crowd, he is a hero. The eyes of the Lord are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.