Is The Lord Watching?

There is a beautiful old phrase that comes out of the story of Jacob and his father-in-law in the Old Testament. We call it the “Mizpah” benediction. It goes like this: “May the Lord watch between me and thee, while we are absent one from another.” (Genesis 31:49)

Originally, the meaning was somewhat sinister: “remember, the Lord is watching…keep your distance!” But through the years, we have come to think of it in more endearing terms.

One person remembered that her father always concluded his letters to her by using the word, “Mizpah”. This is a greeting that we could say to one another as we leave church, or as we go on a long journey, or as we separate after a family reunion.

“Mizpah”…”May the Lord watch between me and thee.” How beautiful to know that He is watching, that He is there to care for us in our separateness.

It is good to learn to trust our loved ones to God’s care as we leave them, whether it be for a day, or an hour, or many years. As we send our children off to camp, or when they simply cross the street, “Mizpah”…may the Lord watch over them as we are apart. As we lose loved ones in death…”Mizpah”…they are in His care and keeping. We can be sure He is watching over them!

Every day, I ask the Lord to watch over family and neighbors, and the many loved ones we have come to know through the years. Yes, thank God, He never sleeps, never leaves on vacation, never deserts His post! Our Lord watches over us, each and every one. Aren’t you glad?

Note: We will be gone for a few days.
See you again next Monday.