Theme: IT PAYS TO SERVE GOD FAITHFULLY TILL THE END
Text: “…Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.” – Jeremiah 12:1, 2.
Comment: Christians should not be envious of the wicked when they are prospering. King David had this experience in his days but at the end, he acknowledged the superiority of God’s righteous ways. It is true that those who live righteously are scorned or mocked by the ungodly. Like Job said the arrogance of the ungodly could be troubling to those who are inclined to do good. They say: “Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. … Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?” – Job 21:7-15.
Nonetheless, we must continue in our faithful service to our Creator knowing that it is righteousness that pays in the end, that gives peace of mind that gives one long life and a good name and salvation by the grace of God. Job gave answers to the posers he raised in the text under reference saying: “Lo, …the counsel of the wicked is far from me. How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. …His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.” – Job 21:16-20.