DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2017
Read Job 24:13-24
Sinners Rebel against the Light
Mack Yearwood was wanted on battery charges and several other open warrants, but Florida law enforcement officers had no idea of his whereabouts. Then he uploaded his wanted poster to Facebook, alerting deputies who arrested him a day later. Apparently he didn’t realize that the police can see social media along with everyone else!
Those who do evil put their confidence in darkness to hide them as they rebel against the light (v. 13; John 3:19). This is how Job poetically describes them in today’s passage. From his perspective, this is a reality of both knowledge and action. Evildoers do not know the ways of light, nor do they “stay in its paths.” Murderers think darkness will hide their deeds (v. 14). Adulterers similarly think nighttime will conceal their sexual immorality (v. 15). Thieves also prefer darkness in which to pursue their criminal activities (v. 16). Such people prey shamefully on the poor, needy, and vulnerable (v. 21). Irrationally, they are “friends with the terrors of darkness” (v. 17).
Job called for justice to be served to such sinners (vv. 18–20). Their deeds will not last. They will vanish without a trace, like sea foam or melting snow. He knew that God sees all and that hiding things from Him is impossible. Darkness offers no concealment. Evildoers may feel safe or “established,” but God’s “eyes are on their ways” and He will make sure that “they are cut off like heads of grain” (vv. 21–24).
The Lord accomplishes justice on His timetable, not ours, so at times it might appear that the wicked are prospering. That’s why Job began his speech with this question or complaint: “Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days?” (v. 1).
APPLY THE WORD
Does it seem to you that God’s justice is overdue? That the wicked are doing just fine and getting away with it (Jer. 12:1)? If so, cling to Psalm 27:13–14: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD”
Today in the Word is a production of Moody Global Ministries
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