I strolled near a golf course one morning, enjoying some solitude.  The blue sky, well-kempt greens, chirping birds, and squeaking squirrels made for a pristine setting.   As I sat on a bench to quietly read, I was interrupted by a sound out of character to the morning.  A large falcon swooped down to perch high atop a nearby pine tree.  Its wings cut through the morning air with an ominous swish.  His song was not a melodious chirp, but a high pitched cry announcing his arrival.  There he stood, head moving from right to left, back and forth.  He stretched his wings and pulled them back into himself.  He paused, waited, observing the surroundings.

Just then came four golfers, talking, looking for their golf balls, setting up for their next shots of play.  Two of them walked directly under the falcon. They had no awareness of his presence above them.  The falcon was very aware of theirs.  He watched their every move and was privy to their conversation.  I watched from the distance, wondering if the falcon would fly off, spooked by their noise.  Perhaps he knew taking flight would have drawn attention to himself.  The golfers played their shots, continued their conversations and moved on, unaware of the bird of prey’s presence.

As I reflected on the drama of this moment, it reminded me of 2 Chronicles 16:9:  “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth…”  As God-followers, we are aware of His ability to see every move, hear every word, and know every intent of our hearts.  Those traits can be intimidating until we acknowledge the latter half of that verse:  “…that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

While God is watching us like a falcon, that verse reminds us of the reason He does so: to strongly support us.  Our humanness lies, trying to convince us God is watching in order to swoop down, disrupt our lives, steal our golf cap or scratch us with his talons.  But the scriptures say differently:  “We know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  (Romans 8:28, 31).

As I walked away from that moment, I asked myself:  “Am I like the golfers: unaware, preoccupied, or perhaps judging God’s intentions?”   When lies try to grip me, His true character quietly resonates through the scriptures, when I stop and ponder them.

King David poetically articulated God’s falcon-like presence:

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.”   Psalm 139:1-10 NIV

Today, I want to be aware that God’s falcon-like eyes are finding me because I am His. What a comfort that this magnificent God is watching me simply because He wants to support me.  Yet another reason He deserves our worship!