He Watches

 I have been listening to a lot of music lately from the Swing Era, 1935 – 1945, the era of the big bands like Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and many others.  Singers like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.  One of the songs I’ve heard is by Ella Fitzgerald, “Someone To Watch Over Me.”  It is a love song and has been recorded by several singers.  Some think that this version by Ella is the best.  It has also been featured in several movies, the most recent being “Mr. Holland’s Opus” in 1996.  While it is a love song of the singer looking for someone to love her or him, it has a couple of verses that also apply to those of us who love God and want him in our lives.

 

There’s a somebody I’m longing to see

I hope that he turns out to be

Someone who’ll watch over me.

 

I’m a little lamb who’s lost in the wood

I know I could always be good

To one who’ll watch over me.

 

That pretty much describes all of us, doesn’t it?

 

Just as we are looking for God and longing to be with him in the next life for eternity, he is also longing for us to be with him in the same way, and for the same eternity.  So, it us up to us to make certain it happens – with his help.

 

The second verse echoes the gospel story of the lost lamb and the shepherd who searches for it.  As you remember, he left the 99 in the desert to search for and find the lost one.  Jesus Christ is that shepherd who will search for us wherever we may be and bring us home to his love and protection.  We are like that lamb. and we all stray from time to time.  Sometimes briefly, sometimes for a long time, usually more than once.  Regardless of how long, in what manner, and how often, Jesus will be out in the woods of the world searching for us to bring us back to the fold.  His love for us is limitless and he will find us and welcome us back to his love, always.

 

God does like the song asks, he watches over us.  He protects us from Satan, from temptation, and from ourselves.  He is always there, does not punch a time clock, and is on call 24/7.   It is up to us to call upon him when we are in need, when we violate his greatest gift, free will.  He will never refuse us, never withhold his grace, his help, and his love.

Think back over your life and you will certainly see the times when God has been there for you.  I’m sure you will be surprised when you realize you have had him watch over you, protect you.  I know I have been.  There have been times when Satan tossed a temptation at me and God stepped in and gave the knowledge and strength to me to turn away from Satan and to God’s love and bring me back when I strayed.  In all honesty, yes, there have been times when I didn’t turn away from Satan.  The good part is God was there for me when I turned back to him and his eternal welcome and love.

 

You have an unbeatable team on your side.  Use it.  Treasure it.  And always remember

 

He Watches Over You