O be Careful

Isaiah 66:3-6

Do you recall the song O be careful little eyes what you see, O be careful little ears what you hear, O be careful little tongue what you say, O be careful little hands what you do, O be careful little feet where you go, and after each one it follows with “For the Father up above is looking down in love” and it would end the verse with “So be careful little eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet and in the case of feet, it would end with where you go.

As we look at these verses in Isaiah, God is addressing four legitimate ritual acts and four perverse acts, and it seemed the people were doing both, and that rendered the good ritual acts as revolting to God.  If they had built their lives on the belief of this simple children’s song, how different life would have been for them.  Could it be the Church, the Bride of Christ needs to put this children’s song into our mind and hearts so that we do not preform righteous acts on Sunday and then seek all that the world offers the rest of the time.

As we read verses 3-b-4, “These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations; I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.”  My pastor ask the congregation this question: “are you dissatisfied with where you are in your relationship and fellowship with Jesus Christ” and I was blown away, for earlier that morning I had confessed to the Father my dissatisfaction with myself after singing these verses before leaving the house to attend worship.  I confess often about having flesh that wants to look good, be first and seek attention; my eyes, my ears, my hands and my feet have not paid attention to the fact that the eyes of God are looking down from above.  My prayer is that my soul will never delight in things that are an abomination to my Lord.  My dissatisfaction comes when I realize God has spoken but I was not listening, and my flesh will always choose what God does not delight in.

My prayer for each of us in this great body of believers that the Bible refers to as His Church, will be the ones being addressed in the first part of verse five; “You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD.”  These were then and are now the faithful followers of Christ, the ones who are humble and submissive in spirit.  God is very clear in His word, He looks favorably on such a person and this we understand and know, obedience brings blessing, and disobedience brings heartache and shame.

As we examine verses 5 and 6, we notice another group, the proud, the arrogant, the one who makes fun of God’s chosen people, they have become enemies of God and are reaping what they deserve.

“So be careful little eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet and in the case of feet it would end with where you go.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice