DCLM Daily Manna 22 March 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — God’s Presence In Perils
TOPIC: God’s Presence In Perils (DCLM Daily Manna 22 March 2023)
KEY VERSE: “How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.” (Job 21:17).
TEXT: Job 21:1-21 (KJV)
1 But Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
MESSAGE:
Deep in the dungeon of despair, after unhelpful remarks from his wife and friends following colossal family and business losses, Job is thrown into a riddle of disturbing questions about life and why the wicked, and not the righteous, seem to prosper. It is a conflict that readily assails saints passing through serious challenges. Only a perfect insight provided by God can offer an acceptable answer and comfort to the perplexed inquirer.
God did come to the aid of Job, as He does to all believers experiencing trials and temptations at the hands of Satan. While Job saw only the present moment of the wicked as they enjoyed their corrupt riches, God revealed the disaster awaiting them. According to Job, “Their houses are safe from fear… They spend their days in wealth… Their seed is established…neither is the rod of God upon them”. But the Lord exposed their end. “Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung.”
Men are often swayed by the carriage of the ungodly celebrities of the society. Their influence, affluence and fame are false parameters that appear to guide our perceptions about them. Their fleeting riches make them puffy to challenge the Bible and its teachings on prosperity. This puts them in the same league as those in the day of Job who told God, “Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways”.
Christians who find themselves in the mire of despondency because of satanic attacks or dwindling economic fortunes and mockery of those who seem to be prospering must be careful not to be enticed into the ways of the ungodly. In the depths of the battles they face, the Lord will ultimately reach out to them and go beyond strengthening them to restoring their lost possessions in hundred-folds.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God is with you even in the valley – and that’s enough for you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Deuteronomy 4-6
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
