“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.”
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil
“But” – this is a right about-face word. In contrast to answering prayer, God will discipline those who step out of his fellowship.
“Face” is an anthropomorphism indicating fellowship with God.
“Against” indicates the discipline of the child of God who steps out of fellowship with God.
“Those who do evil” – those who commit some sin and do not confess it. The Greek indicates that these are people who not only step out of communion with God but stay out for an extended period.
Ps. 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.”
Prov. 15:8, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.”
Prov. 15:29, “The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
God provides everything necessary for our lives, even in our discipline. He provides a way to get back into fellowship. If we immediately confess our sin, God takes that discipline off our lives.
PRINCIPLE:
God does not answer prayer when we are out of fellowship with him, but he does provide a way back.
APPLICATION:
Are you trying to pray while out of fellowship with God? God, in most cases, will not answer your prayer. The only thing that you need to do is get back in harmony with God by confessing your sin (specify that the particular sin you committed, acknowledging that it took Jesus to the cross).
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
