Quoting Psalm 34, the apostle Peter says that “the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). That’s clearly a category we do not want to be in!
If your teacher is “against” you, it may reflect poorly on your grades. If your soccer coach is “against” you, it may lessen your playing time. It is a whole other kettle of fish for the Lord to be “against” you!
In contrast, “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous.” In this verse, imagery is used which pictures God looking down upon his people with favour when they live in a way that honours both himself and others.
The church father Andreas, wrote: “Whenever the hand of a righteous [person] does mercy, it has the eye of God watching over it.”* Just picture it—whenever you share an encouraging word with someone, or engage in charity, or volunteer at church or the hospital (or wherever)—the eye of God smiling upon you as his faithful servant.
Do people notice when you serve or bless others, or when you put in that extra work or sacrifice? Sometimes, but not always. Ultimately, it’s not about them. It’s about serving God. Rest assured, he knows, and he sees.
“Whenever the hand of a righteous [person] does mercy, it has the eye of God watching over it.”
Notes:
-*Andreas in “Catena,” as quoted in: The Church History Study Bible (Wheaton: Crossway, 2023), 1553.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.
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