"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."
Peter’s words, written to encourage a young church in the midst of persecution, continue to encourage and comfort believers today. Sometimes the events in our world might cause us to wonder why evil seems to prosper, while the righteous are oppressed or cast aside.
When we encounter such stories, they offend our sense of justice and fairness and leave us wondering when God is going to step in.
Peter draws on the words of Psalm 34 to provide us an answer. We must not retaliate against evil, having the assurance that God sees all hearts, and will judge with righteousness. Instead, we must rest in the Lord, knowing that He hears the prayers of the righteous and has not forgotten us.
For just as Jesus suffered injustice for our sake, so too will we face trials, which God calls us to endure so that His glory might be seen in our lives.
