When it comes to the world, things are not always as they seem
Many times in life, it always looks like evil is going to win – right up to the point it doesn’t.
In these passages, Job is building a strong case against the argument the wicked in the world suffer and die prematurely, while the righteous always prosper and live long happy lives.
Job was in the midst of tremendous suffering—his is the lens he was looking through —the experience he was in the middle of.
Job, while in his wilderness experience, complained that evil people have it easy—he was thinking “it was a waste of time to keep yourself pure before God and to do the right thing.”
But, his perspective changed as he stepped into God’s house:
15 If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to your people.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Job, later realized evil people who want nothing to do with God have one foot in the grave and the other foot on a banana peel.
In the midst of suffering and trial, we do not always see things as clearly as we should many times. It’s understandable when we don’t.
When we remember how much God loves us and how much he has sacrificed for us.
When we remember how much God pursues us relentlessly everyday through the great love that he has for us—we are reminded that in this life we take the long view.
Those that are caught up in this world and in the things of this world—do not want God or what He has to offer.
This is living for the world—for the moment. As Christians, we take the long view as we live our lives. The things that we see here on earth are temporary, very temporary.
Christians are looking forward to eternity, to what is valuable and permanent.
In life sometimes it will look like non-Christians prosper and are happier perhaps. But it doesn’t last for long.
What helps us is daily keeping our eyes focused on Jesus and the love that He has demonstrated for us, especially during times of trail and testing.
My prayer for all of us is that we keep our eyes focused on God’s love for us, especially during times when we struggle and life seems difficult. My prayer is we take the long view of our lives—the eternity focus, not the short temporary focus in the moment.
You can take a short view and add to your calendar our 11 a.m. service on Sabbath Saturday where we will be talking about God’s love for our church family. We have free childcare during the service so bring the family and enjoy a Joyful Walk With Christ this Saturday morning.
See you there!
Associate Pastor Don