Surveillance
by Malcolm Wood
These days, we don’t need to venture far from our front door to be aware of the proliferation of surveillance cameras which in recent years have appeared in our streets, stations, stadia, and many other places. In cathedrals, clinics, carparks, malls, markets, and motorways, we are never far from the gaze of lenses and those observing their images.
It is a sad reflection of the society in which we live that we need to be so closely watched in order to protect us from those who would damage, destroy, rob, or harm us, or our property and possessions. Unfortunately, that is the case. We can be thankful that these measures reduce some crimes and are certainly used to solve others and keep our streets and public spaces safer.
But, as believing Christians, we can take further encouragement from the fact that we have someone with far greater ability to keep us safe, and who is watching over us every moment of every day, wherever we go. The psalmist declares in Psalm 139 that there is nowhere that he can go where God cannot see him, and that, in fact, God had been watching over him since he was being formed in his mother’s womb (Psalm 139:15).
It should strengthen our faith and confidence in God to realise that He is the one who loves us and has our best interests at heart. He is watching over us 24/7 and doesn’t slumber or sleep (Psalm 121:4). Also, in this psalm, we read that God will protect those He is watching over and will keep them from harm, and not cause their foot to slip. (Verses 7 & 4).
This doesn’t necessarily mean that we are not going to experience difficulties and challenges in our walk with Him. We live in a sinful world, and Satan can use the circumstances and people around us to cause us to stumble in one way or another. Here again the psalmist has encouragement for us. ‘The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand’ (Psalm 37:23-24).
I think the key here is, as the psalm suggests, to make every effort to delight in the Lord, His word, and His Kingdom, and to remain under His protection and watchful eye.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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