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Answer
Peter described several virtues that demonstrate the love of Christ in the lives of believers, such as unity, empathy, brotherly affection, compassion, and humility “Finally, be all of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”, (1 Peter 3:8). Those Christians who embody these traits experience spiritual benefits and God’s favor: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” “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.”, (1 Peter 3:12).
Peter referenced Psalm 34 to illustrate the blessed life that Christians are called to: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth” (Psalm 34:15-16).
Other biblical passages confirm Peter’s assertion that God favors the righteous “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”, (Genesis 6:8). The psalmist declares, “Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield” “For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; With favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”, (Psalm 5:12).
The “righteous” individuals Peter mentioned are reborn Christians who live out their new lives in Christ, practicing
Living in unity, love, compassion, sympathy, and humility, believers do not repay evil for evil or retaliate with insults when insulted. Instead, they respond with a blessing, as God has called them to do, and He will grant them His blessing «not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. », (1 Peter 3:9, NLT).
The phrase “eyes of the Lord” is an anthropomorphic expression that attributes humanlike qualities to God. The assurance we gain from knowing that the Lord’s eyes are on the righteous is that God is omniscient and sovereign over all creation. God knows everything «For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. », (1 John 3:20) and sees all people, both the evil and the righteous. His eyes “are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good” «The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good. », (Proverbs 15:3). Nothing escapes the Lord’s purview.
If the eyes of the Lord are everywhere and always upon us, then we can rely on His presence to be with us always: “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you” (Psalm 139:11-12).
We can rest assured that God will neverGod will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8; Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5). We are never alone, “never abandoned by God” – “persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” (2 Corinthians 4:9, NLT) or separated from His love – “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come;” (Romans 8:38). God is omnipresent, present everywhere. His eyes “range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” – “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
The eyes of the Lord also refer to His individualized care. God sees every step His children take – “For his eyes are upon the ways of man, And he seeth all his goings.” (Job 34:21). “He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways,” assures Job 24:23 (ESV). Just as God cared for Israel “as the apple of his eye” – “He found him in a desert land, And in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, he instructed him, He kept him as the apple of his eye.” (Deuteronomy 32:10), He continues to keep watch over “those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love” – “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, Upon them that.”Hope in His mercy; (Psalm 33:18).
Knowing the eyes of the Lord are always on the righteous, we can be confident of His constant protection. Our heavenly Father “will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3-4).
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous like those of a loving shepherd tending the sheep of His flock (Psalm 23:1; Revelation 7:17). God’s blessings of favor extend to eternal life (John 3:16; John 17:3; 1 John 2:25) yet also fill our days on earth with good things: “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (James 1:17; NLT; see also Psalm 85:12; see also Psalm 107:9).
