12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” [1 PETER 3:12]
The Human Condition
Sometimes we forget that Jesus knows what it means to be human. Or maybe we think that because it was so long ago that He was human, that He can’t remember every feeling (good and bad) of what it was like. Sometimes we may also be tempted to believe that He can’t truly, or fully help us in our times of need because He’s too good and too separated from our pains, trials and struggles. After all, Jesus is only able to help us with our sins and big trials and tragedies, right? I say this with love…Wrong.
A Full-Time Savior
When you love someone, even their smallest hurts and concerns are important to you. While some in this world are quick to minimize and generalize our sufferings, the Lord is always attentive and in tune; whether we stub our toe, or our vehicle is getting towed because we were in an accident. He knows what it’s like to have a broken leg and a broken heart. He knows what it’s like to be betrayed by the ones you love and what it’s like to be lost in loneliness. In other words, whatever you are suffering (big or small), whether you caused it or someone else did, He knows how to calm and comfort you. He knows how to pick you up, lift you up, buoy you up and encourage you to try again and to try again better.
Turn Away
In contrast to the blessings He desires for the righteous and those who turn to Him in prayer, the last part of this verse states that, “The face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Meaning that He cannot bless them as fully as He would like to. Nevertheless, I believe His ears and his heart is still reaching out to and for them. He wants them to turn away from every evil so He can bless them more. This is verified and reinforced previously in (v11) when it says that, “They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” Which says to me that the Lord hasn’t written the wicked off, who choose to turn their hearts and backs away from evil and turn back towards the Lord, and who will pursue peace in their lives.
The eyes and heart of the Lord are on you my friend. He knows your struggles and He not only hears your prayers, He is and will be with you always and in all ways! You really can turn back, come back and trust and rely on your Savior, no matter what you’re going through, or what time or day is, and He really will help you and bless you and bring you home.