Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know Him not see his days?
They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death. He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards. Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned. The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree. (Job 24:1, 16-20)
The wicked may seem to be prospering in this life, for prosperity and worldly wisdom and possessions are no indicator of Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. But, poverty and dire circumstances are no sign of a life devoted to GOD either. GOD certainly blesses His own, but not necessarily in what we possess, and He corrects and chastises those who are His as well. The Spirit of Christ, received by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and repentance of our sins, is the only true indicator of who is in Christ and who is not, and by their fruit shall we know them.
GOD is working in His own to produce fruit and accomplish His will and do His work in this sinful and broken world. We are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow thereby and be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We have been commissioned to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit wherever He send us, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father to those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, that in believing they might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet