There are cameras in the streets, on buildings and homes, there are dashcams in cars, body cams worn by Police, cameras inside offices, schools and nurseries etc. all recording. There are webcams on laptops, tablets and computers and there are devices within homes which are listening to voices waiting for verbal instructions. Organisations are storing images, voice recordings and information about us including our shopping preferences and usage of the internet so they can form profiles of us from our patterns of behaviour. This information is being stored on computer servers worldwide which we have no access to and we have no control over the information being stored. Many are naturally concerned with the amount of personal information being held by businesses and security agencies etc. and fear the invasion of privacy.
For mankind this is a relatively new development following the advances in technology but nothing is new with God. Almighty God has observed the actions of mankind since the beginning of time and will do until the end. God has listened in on all conversations and even knows the very thoughts and intents of every heart.
I wonder if we ever consider what God thinks to the pattern of our behaviour? The word of God declares to us what profile is seen – ‘..for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth:..’ Genesis ch8 v21
It is possible to delete the history on our computers of our internet usage. We can request that organisations delete the history they hold of our choices and preferences, but what about God’s record of our lives? We read in Revelation ch20 v12 ‘…and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.’
‘Remember not the sins of my youth…’ was the desire of David in Psalm 25 as he sought the Lord in a time of affliction. David knew that God heard him, saw his actions and knew all his thoughts but sadly David didn’t always live in this ‘fear of the Lord’. When left to himself he proved the sinfulness of his own heart. These sins were a trouble to David and the Lord chastised David for them during his life but what mercy was shown to him when on his death bed he was brought to a sweet resting place – ‘Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure,…’ 2 Samuel ch23 v5. The everlasting love of God toward him was his hope and comfort.
Are our sins a concern to us? Who can delete the great list of errors and faults of our lives? We certainly can’t – but praise be to God that He has made a way.
‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ 1 John ch1 v8 & 9