“What was that?” The Operations Center went completely silent. It was early morning on January 3, 2020, when a red flash appeared on the wall monitor of the counter-mortar radar team. These radars are designed to detect incoming rockets, mortars, missiles — anything that has a trajectory. A positive track would have automatically set off the “incoming” alarm for any impact in or near our perimeter. There was nothing. Complete silence. Then we heard four distant, muffled explosions. Chaos ensued.

I had just returned to my security contractor duties in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 30, and as I was checking in the next day, the Operations Center was a beehive of activity. The embassy compound in the Green Zone was under attack. Kata'ib Hezbollah militiamen had attacked the embassy in response to airstrikes targeting their weapons depots and command centers. Those airstrikes were in response to numerous rocket attacks by Iranian-backed militias against American and coalition forces in Iraq. The following day, the militia members withdrew from the embassy area and an uneasy calm prevailed for several days.

We’ve all heard people make the comment, “Big Brother is watching you!” There might be some merit to that claim. It turned out that the “blip” we saw on the wall monitor was a Reaper drone firing four Hellfire missiles. That strike took out the head of the Iranian Quds Force, Major General Qasem Soleimani, along with a local Iranian-backed militia commander and some bodyguards.

As Christians, we know that there is, metaphorically speaking, another “eye in the sky.” The Bible has more references to God’s ability to “see” us than I could cite here, but let provide one. “He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?” (Psalm 94:9, ESV) God sees. God hears. Jesus made several references to God seeing what we do in secret (Matthew 6:4, 6:6, 6:18).

So, why is this important? Too many Christians today live their lives as if they do not believe God sees their actions.

As a kid growing up in a small, rural farm community, it was a given that you weren’t going to get away with anything. Everyone knew everyone, and if someone saw you doing something inappropriate, your parents were going to find out about it. They were practicing “see something, say something” long before the government caught on.

Fast-forward 60 years, and we find ourselves in an age of anonymity. Cities are bigger, people are less engaged, and our society’s moral foundation has been seriously eroded. Things that would have shocked people 60 years ago now barely raise an eyebrow. Sadly, many Christians tend to set a low bar in moral attitudes and conduct. We compare ourselves to others and come away feeling good about ourselves. The Apostle Paul tells us in II Corinthians 10:12 that doing so is “not wise” (KJV) or “without understanding” (ESV). We all want the blessings of God, but few are claiming the discipline of God!

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6, ESV)

Talking about discipline doesn’t get much traction in most churches, but Scripture makes it clear that it does happen. Forget Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) who were struck down for lying to the Holy Spirit. Paul cautioned the Corinthian believers about inappropriate celebration of the Lord’s supper, stating that some believers had died (I Corinthians 11:27-30). In a second letter to Corinth (II Corinthians 12:19-21), Paul addresses those who had sinned and had not repented, warning that he might have to mourn them when he came. The Greek word translated “bewail” in the King James Version is pentheo, defined as “to lament, mourn, especially for the dead” (Vine’s Dictionary).

We have been saved for a purpose — God’s purpose! I’m sure God’s Hellfire missile system is reserved for the unrepentant lost, but Scripture makes it clear there is the potential for God’s own unrepentant children to experience His discipline.

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3, ESV)

There is an “eye in the sky” watching over the children of God, for their good and His!

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!