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THE UNGODLY SOMETIMES PROSPER
MONDAY, MAY 16
Job 21:12-21

Psalm 84:1-5

 

“…my thoughts are

not your thoughts…”

 

THE UNGODLY SOMETIMES PROSPER
 
Job considered the things he had observed in the lives of the wicked. Often, they lived lives of ease, enjoyed their wealth and seemed to have no cares. They often lived this way until they died a seemingly easy death. These facts contradicted Job’s friends who insisted that the wicked always suffered in this life (Job 21:12-13).
 
The world often has no interest in God. They mock Him and challenge His authority. They see no profit in His Word or in prayer, thinking themselves sufficient to meet their own needs, they have no desire to learn of God or His ways (Job 21:14-15).
 
The ungodly are mistaken in thinking that their wealth and good lives are their own doing. All blessings come from God, whether they are upon the wicked or the righteous. This is a part of God’s love and care which includes even those who are His enemies (Matt 5:43-45). Job said, therefore, that he would not listen to the council of the wicked because it was wrong and would lead to eternal damnation (Job 21:16; Prov 1:10). Verse 17 is actually in the form of a question rather than an explanation. Despite man’s wickedness and deliberate ignorance of God’s blessing, their lives are seldom snuffed out. Although calamities do not happen often, there are times when men are smashed and blown like straw before the wind (Job 21:17-18).
 
Once again, Job made a serious mistake by judging God as if God were man. He had a complaint about God’s manner in dealing with the wicked – God often saves a man’s punishment and visits it on his son. This did not seem right to Job. He wanted wicked men themselves to feel the power of God’s destruction because they are so wicked, they do not really care about their children (Job 21:19-21; Exod 20:5).
 
Job had forgotten a lesson that we should remember for our own peace of mind: God’s ways are not the same as man’s but they are always right. May we rest in this truth (Isa 55:8-9).
 
THOUGHT: Was Job’s idea about the ungodly man’s way of life correct?

PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee that all Thy ways are the best.

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