Zophar makes a statement in 20:5 that should give all of us encouragement and solace as we go through our Job-like moments in life, where he states "that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment." No matter how bad things may go for us in our lives, two things are certain:
1. Bad times WILL happen (we'll see this all year, my favorite example will be on November 4th)
2. They won't last forever
As we're learning in abundance in Job, goodness can't be instantly assumed through the lens of wealth and success, nor can evil be assumed when faced with despair and destruction.
On those rare occasions when we are at the mercy of the godless and are truly persecuted (and I'll excuse myself from this, since I can honestly state that I've never been persecuted for my faith, no matter how finely you wish to define the term), my strong suggestion to the persecutors would be to enjoy their moment, and watch their backs. Zophar is 100% correct when he states that their glee should be short-lived, and they should revel in it, since an eternity of persecution awaits them. We're going to learn on December 15th that no matter what happens on this earth, the time of judgment is going to come. When that time comes, some of us are going to be extremely happy, weeping with joy for the salvation that is about to come. Others will also be weeping, but not in joy, but out of fear, rage, or dread, realizing just a little too late that they probably shouldn't have been asking for whom the bell tolls, because it's going to be tolling for them. Zophar's words are correct, but he and his compatriots will find out on January 17th what God thinks of them. Knowing God's words is an excellent start, but it isn't enough--we have to know how to use it and apply it.
Scott
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