Job 7:18

20 If I have sinned, what [harm] have I done You, O You Watcher and Keeper of men? Why have You set me as a mark for You, so that I am a burden to myself [and You]?

Job referred to God as a watcher or observer of humanity. He was expressing the feeling that God seemed like an enemy to him-someone who mercilessly watched him squirm in his misery. We know that God does watch over everything that happens to us. We must never forget that he sees us with compassion, not merely with critical scrutiny. His eyes are eyes of love. (ref: http://www.youversion.com/?reading_plan=life-application-study-bible-devotion)

Be anxious for nothing, but through prayer and supplication, bring your cares and concerns before God.

Philippians 4:6

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

Psalm 14

1 THE [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds; there is none that does good or right. 2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity].3 They are all gone aside, they have all together become filthy; there is none that does good or right, no, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and who do not call on the Lord?5 There they shall be in great fear [literally–dreading a dread], for God is with the generation of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those upright and in right standing with Him).6 You [evildoers] would put to shame and confound the plans of the poor and patient, but the Lord is his safe refuge.7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord shall restore the fortunes of His people, then Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.

Proverbs 14

1 EVERY WISE woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.2 He who walks in uprightness reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, but he who is contrary and devious in his ways despises Him.3 In the fool’s own mouth is a rod [to shame] his pride, but the wise men’s lips preserve them.4 Where no oxen are, the grain crib is empty, but much increase [of crops] comes by the strength of the ox.5 A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness breathes out falsehoods.6 A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands.7 Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.8 The Wisdom [godly Wisdom, which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of [self-confident] fools is to deceive.9 Fools make a mock of sin and sin mocks the fools [who are its victims; a sin offering made by them only mocks them, bringing them disappointment and disfavor], but among the upright there is the favor of God. 10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall flourish.12 There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness and grief.14 The backslider in heart [from God and from fearing God] shall be filled with [the fruit of] his own ways, and a good man shall be satisfied with [the fruit of] his ways [with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts and in which he delights].15 The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks and considers well where he is going.16 A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident.17 He who foams up quickly and flies into a passion deals foolishly, and a man of wicked plots and plans is hated.18 The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.19 The evil men bow before the good, and the wicked [stand suppliantly] at the gates of the [uncompromisingly] righteous.20 The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends.21 He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellowman, and himself], but happy (blessed and fortunate) is he who is kind and merciful to the poor.22 Do they not err who devise evil and wander from the way of life? But loving-kindness and mercy, loyalty and faithfulness, shall be to those who devise good.23 In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty.24 The crown of the wise is their wealth of Wisdom, but the foolishness of [self-confident] fools is [nothing but] folly.25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies [and endangers lives].26 In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge.27 Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. 28 In a multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in a lack of people is the prince’s ruin.29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly. 30 A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches, mocks, and insults his Maker, but he who is kind and merciful to the needy honors Him. 32 The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing and calamity, but the [consistently] righteous has hope and confidence even in death.33 Wisdom rests [silently] in the mind and heart of him who has understanding, but that which is in the inward part of [self-confident] fools is made known. 34 Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.35 The king’s favor is toward a wise and discreet servant, but his wrath is against him who does shamefully.

Lord, I remember Your prophesy over me and the word of Ezekiel 22:30

30 And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

Here I am Lord. Here I stand for You, calling out to You. Help me bring You praise and honor and glory. Help me stand firm on the foundation You have built in Jesus.

Notes:

walk in uprightness reverently and worshipfully
do not lie
be teachable and understand
remember to forgive so that you don’t end up finding out later there is bitterness – a root of bitterness that messes you up
stay on the narrow road
trust God
lean not on your own understand
be prudent – look and consider well where you are going
Love Your God with all your heart, your mind, and your strength
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
share loving-kindness and mercy, loyalty and faithfulness
work hard
seek wisdom first
be truthful
have reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord –> Confidence and a place of refuge
–> fountain of life
be slow to anger
have a calm and undisturbed mind and heart
be kind and merciful to the needy
remember the end – no matter what, there is always hope and confidence, for know Who we believe in.
Let’s help raise up moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation that God will elevate the nation
be wise and discreet