January 8, 2012 Do Right

Do Right Job 20:27 “The heavens will expose his guilt; the earth will rise up against him. 28 A flood will carry off his house, rushing waters on the day of God’s wrath. 29 Such is the fate God allots the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God.” THE LESSON of Job 20 is that a person’s wicked ways may bring different forms of wealth and gain, but ultimately a wicked person and his possessions will be destroyed. It’s easy to look around and see how this is so as you likely know someone who advances through life with cunning and deceit. You likely wonder, “Why are they so successful as they disobey God’s ways?” And many times, you will see their “success” fall apart as their wickedness overwhelms them. Sometimes their ill-gotten gains may last through their lives, but the Bible is clear their eternal life will be everlasting torment. It’s easy to judge against “those wicked people” isn’t it? But what do we do about the wickedness in our lives? Yes, we may devoutly read the Bible every day; we may pray, and we may help our neighbors in need. But isn’t it easy for wickedness to slip into our lives? Perhaps we cheat God on our tithes this week because the bills are a little higher than expected. Maybe we carry around some unforgiveness because of some hateful remark someone made to us. Perhaps we don’t like what we read in the Bible because it’s just “too hard” to do. Possibly we avoid correcting our children because “it’s easier” to avoid the conflict. In other words, wickedness—opposing and ignoring God’s Word—shows up in many forms. It may seem good for a while to cheat on your tithe, hold a grudge, ignore the Bible or postpone discipline for your children, but eventually these things will bring disaster upon you. Judge your own life. Take the right steps and do the right thing. It’s True! Wickedness is what we prefer to do—God changes your preferences.