1 Peter 3:12-13 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1991 was the launch of Operation Desert Storm. I sat by the radio as my parents listened. It was the first time I ever remember listening to the news. I was filled with fear. I didn’t understand what was going on, but I could sense the uneasiness of every adult I came in contact with. On February 21st, 2022, as I heard the news of Russia moving its military into Ukraine, it instantly brought me back to when I was 9 years old.
As I began to let my mind wander with questions, I couldn’t help but think how people near the war must be struggling. I instantly thought of several friends who had family in that part of the world. As my kids began to ask me questions about the conflict, I quickly flashed back to what it felt like when I was their age.
I didn’t really have any answers for them. Nothing came to mind on how to explain why we have wars except that there are evil people in this world. I was uneasy about the whole thing until I sat down to read my Bible and God comforted me with these verses. There are three simple thoughts the Lord encouraged me with and if we apply them, they will ease any believer's soul.
The first thought is that the Lord's eyes are watching over the righteous. This is most encouraging because I am one of God’s children. I cannot control how others choose to live. I cannot control wars or anything of that nature. But I can control how I live for the Lord today. I can live like one of His children and remember His eyes are upon me. This comforts me because it’s something I can choose to do, and I can control the outcome.
The second thought that God gives us is the Lord's ears are open to our prayers. This is a blessing. There are times when I am discouraged or overwhelmed by things outside of my control. God knows this and wants to hear about it. I must bring to Him the pain I feel and the worry I experience. He listens with open ears. He’s waiting for me to come and cast my cares upon Him. There’s great comfort in knowing that God waits to hear from me to offer support.
Lastly, the Lord reminds us that God sees “the evil.” He is not blind to the wicked in the world. There are no evil deeds that people are sneaking by God. The Lord knows who is wrong and who is right. I am reminded that vengeance belongs to the Lord. We must not worry if God will take care of the evil. Justice will always be served! If these thoughts were not enough to encourage us, God gives us one more note to send us on our way in great comfort. It’s actually a question that only has one answer: “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”
May we follow good and leave the evil to the Lord to handle! There will always be reasons to fear, but the Lord has not left us alone. May we remember the promises He’s left behind in His Word for us.
