Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the
rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your
words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
—Ecclesiastes 10:20
The idea of a bird, any bird, carrying an unflattering thought straight to the king may seem ridiculous. To read this literally, though, would be to miss the point because there is a spiritual truth being offered here. If the king is more than a king, if, in fact, he is God, then the truth is that nothing near or far, high or low, escapes His searching eye: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). No word uttered in the most desolate place will go unheard. No thought, however fleeting, will go unnoticed. “‘Am I only a God nearby,’ declares the Lord, ‘and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:23–24).
For some of us, it is uncomfortable to think that God can see everything we do and can know every thought we have. There are times when we would rather hide from the probing eyes of God. There are times when we would prefer to slink away under the cover of darkness.
King David knew the truth when he wrote: “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways” (Psalm 139:1–3).
—Eric Kampmann, Signposts