Peter’s Instructions: Part Five

We live in a world watched constantly. Security cameras hang in grocery stores, parking lots, offices, and street corners. Most of the time we don’t notice them—until something goes wrong. Then suddenly, everyone wants to know, “Did the camera catch it?”

Peter reminds us that God’s watchfulness is far more serious—and far more personal.

“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous.” That is not meant to be threatening. It is meant to be comforting. God watches the righteous the way a shepherd watches sheep, the way a parent watches a child. He sees, He knows, and He is attentive. Peter says God’s ears are open to their prayers. Nothing is missed. No whispered plea goes unheard. No quiet obedience goes unseen.

But the verse doesn’t stop there.

“The face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

That is a sobering statement.

To imagine God turning His face against someone—or worse, refusing to look upon them at all—is terrifying. In Scripture, God’s face represents His favor, His presence, and His approval. To have His face set against you means to stand opposed to Him, cut off from blessing, correction, and comfort.

This isn’t about God being cruel or impatient. It’s about moral reality. God cannot casually observe evil with indifference. He does not wink at rebellion or ignore unrepentant sin. Persistent evil places a person in direct opposition to a holy God.

The good news is that this warning is also an invitation.

God delights to watch over the righteous—but righteousness begins with humility and repentance. (1 John 1:9) He is eager to turn His face back toward anyone who turns from evil and seeks Him. His eyes are not searching for reasons to condemn; they are looking for hearts willing to be made right.

The question Peter quietly leaves us with is simple:

Are we living under God’s watchful care—or His watchful opposition?