August 22

Job 36:11

If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

Verses 8-12 of this 36th chapter of Job show how God deals with those that are saved. In a world of sin and rebellion against God’s authority there will always be plenty of disappointments and problems for saint and sinner alike, but if we are walking in obedience to Him, many times He will let us prosper and be at peace. But this is not always the case. If a Christian is having a hard time, this does not necessarily mean that there are certain sins in his life. However, if a child of God is out of the will of the Lord, sooner or later God will bring afflictions or problems of some sort in order to get him back on track. The ungodly, or the unsaved, are another story. Many times they also may suffer and have problems, but sometimes they seem to prosper and do well even in their ungodliness. Prosperity and abundance in a life of sin is a deadly sign. Psalms 37:13 very ominously tells us that when the wicked seem to do well and prosper: “The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.” “The wages of sin is death,” but obedience to God will always bring joy, blessings and peace, and in the world to come, life eternal.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

"...what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30