Do you not know of this of old, since man was placed on earth, that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? Job 20:4-5

Throughout the entire world people are celebrating triumphs and victories every day. People are excited about what they are accomplishing. Some of these things are individual accomplishments, while others are corporate or even national/world level accomplishments. All of these victories are often seen as good for the world, regardless of what they are in reality. They are focused upon the moment of pleasure.

Zophar asks Job if he did not know that ever since man was placed upon the earth, that those who are wicked will only triumph for short time and the hypocrite will have joy only for a moment.

The world looks for pleasure in the moment with no regard to the future. Every time that the world can get the desired pleasure in a moment, they are happy and feel as if they are triumphing. Most often the victory that the world celebrates is wickedness. They do not know what true love is, but only selfish pleasure.

Very few people see themselves as wicked, however, every person is born into sin and is wicked. From the moment a person does something that is against God, that person is sinning and is wicked. One may have victory in the moment, but in the end there is judgement and eternal death, without the forgiveness of Jesus.

Believers may look at the world and think that the wicked in the world are winning, when in reality they are only winning in the moment but will lose in the end. They should not get discouraged when the wicked win a temporary victory. Only in Christ Jesus and living in His righteousness and holiness does one have hope of a future.

It may look like evil is winning and get discouraged when you look around you and see all of the evil being promoted and celebrated. Do not forget that God is in full control and will win in the end.

Focus your life and attention upon God and what He is doing. You will see victory that lasts more than just a moment but goes into eternity. Wickedness appeared to win over Job, but it was only for a moment, in the end Job won.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God is in control; that you will know the victory Jesus provides; that God will give you strength to turn from all sin and wickedness; and that God will give you victory over evil around you.