When The Door Slams
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
Why do bad things happen to good people? In time you will pondered this question once or twice in your life time. Christians wrestle with the reality of pain and suffering all over our world. We struggle to understand why, when we try to help others and do the right thing, so often we find ourselves in difficult times--especially when we struggle to understand when the same thing happens to us.
Why do good things happen to bad people? At some level we can understand that the trials of life produce character in those who suffer through them (James 1:2-4), but what about those times when wicked people prosper? What good can come from cheaters and liars who seem to rise higher and higher each day on the wings of their own greed?
Peter's words in this verse offer comfort in the face of such big questions. "The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right" and "the LORD turns his face against those who do evil." That is a promise from God's Word. We may not always understand how that promise works itself out, but we can have confidence that God is listen, he wants to hear from us. You don't have to strain your-self to get God's attention.
We can rest assured that God works against those who do evil, even if they appear to be "getting away with murder." Even if evil is used against us personally, we know that God will work it out, for our good, so all we need is faith that God is quite capable and let God be Who I AM.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. Proverbs 3:5-7
