December 16, 2011 (1 Peter 1-5)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 NLT
Observation: Peter is encouraging his Christian brothers and sisters to live in a manner that is pleasing to God. He reminds them that God’s eyes are watching over them and His ears are open to their prayers. God cares how they live. It matters to Him what they do. This reminder is so important because it is the key to receiving God’s best blessings. While His eyes and ears are open to those that do right, He turns His face away from those that do evil. If God’s face is turned against those that do evil, then only evil can come to them. A person can never experience the best blessings of God if they are on a continual evil path of destruction.
Application: I cannot think of anything more important than knowing God is watching over me and being completely assured He hears my prayers. This truth is great encouragement for me to remain faithful to my Lord and to do what’s right in His sight. I need Him to see me. I need Him to hear me. I need His faced turned to me, not against me. Who is stronger than God? Who can overpower Him? Who can deliver like He can? No one! He is our only hope. He is our only protection from evil. He is our only source of peace. He alone is the One that calms my troubled soul. Oh yes! I need Him. Watch over me Lord, and open Your ears to my prayer! Turn Your face toward me, see my condition and hear my feeble plea for help!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for all that You are! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your strong right arm that never fails! Thank You for Your ears that hear and Your eyes that see. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. Crush the plans that have been levied against me by injustice! Let the trap that was meant for me catch the one that laid it, in Jesus name, Amen!