HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine: Special Feature: Monsters Under the Bed

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Grant's Graceland

Monsters Under the Bed, by Grant MacDonald

When I was a small boy, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there were monsters living under my bed! No matter how many times my mother tried to convince me otherwise, I KNEW the monsters were there.
Not only were these monsters there, they were there for a reason. It wasn’t just a coincidence. Their address didn’t just happen to be under my bed. No, these monsters were there specifically to get ME. They weren’t interested in my older brother, and they certainly weren’t interested in my mother. They just wanted ME. They wanted a hand, or foot to fall off the bed so they could grab it and drag me into some kind of monsterly demise.
In some ways, it wasn’t as bad as you might think. You see, I knew that the monsters had to obey the rules as laid out in the monster’s code of ethics. The most important rule as far as I was concerned, was the “under the covers" rule, which states:
“No monster can touch or attack anyone as long as they’re under the covers.”

As long as your arm didn’t hang off the edge of the bed, or you didn’t kick your covers off when you were sleeping, you were relatively safe. After a while, I got very good at sleeping with my entire body under the covers, including my head. And, the lack of oxygen in my formative years didn’t hurt me a bit—REALLY!
Sometime around the age of ten or so, these “under the bed monsters" get tired of waiting for you to slip up and they move under some other unsuspecting kid’s bed. But the principle I learned on the battlefield of my bedroom, still plays a part in the way I think. What is the principle, you ask? The principle is:
You're safe, if no one can see you.

It takes a little while for us to perfect this rule. But, as we go through life, we become much more adept at hiding and looking over our shoulder. No matter how clever we get at hiding, all our efforts are really futile because there is one set of eyes that can see us no matter how much we try to hide, no matter how careful we are. God sees and knows all that we do. Want some proof? Listen to these words from Hebrews 4:13, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” And in Revelation 2:23, Jesus declares, “I am he who searches hearts and minds.”

God sees everything you’ve done, everything you do, all that you will do!

The bottom line is that God sees everything you’ve done, everything you do, all that you will do! Not only does He know when you get up in the morning, and when you go to bed, He also knows whether you like butter or margarine; whether you drive a Ford, or Dodge, or GM. He knows if you put on one sock and shoe at a time, or both sock and then both shoes. But it doesn’t stop there. Notice that Revelation 2:23 tells us that Jesus actively searches our hearts and minds. Think about that for a minute.
Jesus actively searches our minds and our hearts. He doesn’t just observe, or interact with us. He searches, digs, uncovers all there is in our minds and hearts. He knows how we think, and how we feel. He knows what we think of each other and what we think of Him. He knows our attitudes, and our goals.
How often do we think of Jesus in those terms? We see throughout the Gospels that Jesus was able to read the motives of the people around Him, but did you know that He does the very same thing with you. Notice, I said “does.” It is not just a possibility. Jesus assures us that He does this.
A great many people don’t live their lives in the knowledge that every thought, every motive, every action, is seen, and known by Jesus. We still think that if we keep the covers on, we’re safe. The truth is, what is as night to us, is as day to the Lord; what is hidden, is clearly seen. God sees all things at all times. Now, this can produce one of two reactions in you: fear, or comfort.
FEAR if you know you are not living for the Lord!
COMFORT if you know you are.

COMFORT? Are you sure? How can God’s looking, digging, searching into our hearts be a comfort? I know what’s in there!
Well, you have to realize that Jesus isn’t looking for a list of “don’ts” you did or “dids" you didn’t. What He’s really searching for is the “Numero Uno” spot in your heart. He’s looking for the motivations beneath your meanderings. He’s looking for growth in faith, not perfection.
David understood the comfort of God’s searching attention. Look at what he said near the end of his life:
“O LORD, You have searched me 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 know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” (Psalm 139:1-6)

The thought that God knew Him as well as He did, made David declare, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” My paraphrase of David’s thoughts is: “You know everything about me, the good and the bad, my strengths and weaknesses, and yet You love me and are always near! I can’t believe that You love me so completely!”
Let’s remember that everything is exposed to the searching eyes of our Lord. Instead of trying to hide, let’s deal with what’s inside our hearts and give it to the Lord! Let’s repent, confess, and put Him first!
Remember that God knows everything about you, good and bad, and He still loves you completely! I can’t think of anyone else who falls into that category can you? I can’t think of anyone else I need more, can you?