No matter how much we love our children, we can’t watch them all the time. We do our best to keep them from harm, but sometimes they are out of our sight. So we teach them to do the right things. We tell them about some of the dangers that might come their way. And we pray that they will make good choices and decisions.
Our Heavenly Father is not so restricted as we are. He can see and hear each of us all day, every day. He teaches us how to make right choices and to walk in the protected path of righteousness. He hears our prayers when we reach out to Him.
But there is one significant exception to God’s umbrella of care. I Peter 3:12-13 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” Both the righteous and those who do evil will suffer from time to time. That is just the truth that we all face. But the righteous person has the advantage of receiving God’s grace and strength to help in the suffering. God is always watching the righteous person and listening to their prayers, protecting them from evil. Those who do evil do not benefit in the same way from God’s protection in the same way.
It is time to evaluate the path our lives are taking. Are we walking according to God’s purposes and plans, making sure we take the righteous path? Or are we choosing to go our own way and straying from God’s desires for us? None of us wants God to turn His face against us. He strengthens and protects those who choose His way.
Reluctant Retiree 