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Theme: SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Text: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-10.
Comment: Our Lord Jesus Christ had warned his apostles that they would face fiery persecutions but that they should stand firm until the end. (John 15:18-20) It is only by abiding in God, that they and indeed all the faithful, would overcome obstacles and carry on. Though often perplexed or puzzled by the things they had to face they could not be thrown into despair as their faith in God Almighty would continue to bear them on. (2 Corinthians 4:8) The Bible says, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” (Proverbs 24:10) Since the devil is determined to stop the ardent believer in the race of life, to weaken his faith and throw him into despair, the Christian should draw encouragement from the Holy Bible. The prophets of God in time of old felt distressed at some points in their career but were strengthened and were able to carry on and are now listed among those for high honours in God’s Kingdom. There was a time Moses felt so troubled by the unending complains of the Israelites that he begged God to take his life. (Numbers 11:15) Elijah also begged God to take his life. (1 Kings 19:4) Jeremiah cursed the day he was born. (Jeremiah 20:14-18) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58.
The wicked are defined as those who have a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honour, virtue. Such are evil in thought and are depraved in character. For such ones, God Almighty is not their God as they strengthen themselves in their wickedness. (Psalm 52:7) God Almighty punishes the wicked for their ungodly deeds. (Psalm 28:4; Isaiah 5:20; Ezekiel 18:20) Such ones do not like to retain God in their knowledge; they have a “a reprobate mind”, as those who are “filled with all unrighteousness” haters of God. They know “the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them”. – Romans 1:28-32; Proverbs 12:10.
The Scriptures sternly warn people of God not to allow themselves to be lured into wicked practices. – Proverbs 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:33, 34. May our heavenly Father, JEHOVAH, help His children to know His judgment, and to do His righteousness, so that, when He will vent His anger on the wicked, they may, by His grace be hid through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.