On the Presence of God

First Point - God sees me! What a thought for him who comprehends it. How potent it is to restrain our passions, to moderate our desires, to prevent sin, to sustain our courage, to animate our fervor and regulate our conduct. God sees me! He is everywhere present and always attentive to me. He thinks of me always, and I seldom if ever think of Him. I am never attentive to Him and to the workings of His divine grace. God sees me! With what respect, with what modesty, should I not dwell in His presence. The angels are lost in wonder and admiration before His august countenance, and I who am but dust and ashes, I am not even fearful. The presence and the majesty of kings impresses men with so much respect, that even the most insolent are kept in subjection. And yet the presence and the majesty of the King of kings does not keep me from sin. God sees me! Before His most pure eyes, can I dare do those things which I would be ashamed to do before the eyes of men? Do I dare sin in His presence, knowing that He hates sin with an infinite hatred?

Second Point - God sees me! He sees all the good that I do, and He will reward even my least good action. Would I not be despising so great a Master, and be rendering myself unworthy of so great a recompense, were I to serve Him in a lukewarm manner? God sees me! His all-seeing eye penetrates to the very depths of my heart. He sees all my desires, all my aspirations. He discerns all the motives of my actions. With what purity of intention, then, ought I perform all my actions. God sees me when I am most strongly tempted; He gives me strength for the combat. He shows me the crown of glory so that I may be filled with courage in the contest. Can I have the least doubt then of victory, since I am upheld by the omnipotence of God? Can I be disheartened by difficulties, when I am certain of a crown of glory if I surmount them?

Third Point - God sees me in my afflictions; He sees all my sufferings, and He even takes into consideration the manner in which I suffer. He is not insensible to my evils, and He is ever ready, when I have recourse to Him, either to deliver me from them - if it be for His glory - or to fortify me so that I may not fall. Why then am I cast down? Why am I discouraged? God sees me! He sees my miseries and the secret groanings of my heart. He sees my desires, hears my prayers, and supplies all my wants. Can I then lack anything, miserable one that I am, provided I do not lack confidence in God?

Recall to yourself often in spirit these words, "God sees me!" since they are an equally sure and easy means of avoiding sin.

It is better for me to fall into your hands with out doing it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord. - Daniel 13:23

Angels and the Lord of angels, behold us in our strife with the demon. - Saint Ephrem

- text taken from Meditations for Every Day in a Month, by Father François Nepveu