Temporary

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Job 24:24 Life On Earth Is Temporary

They are exalted for a little while, then they are gone. They are brought low; they are taken out of the way like all others; they dry out like heads of grain. Job 24:24

Wealth, fame and position are things that people seek, desire and fight for. Each of these are all temporary. It raises a person up to a higher level of status in this world. During that rise, it can appear that it will last for a long time or even eternity, but it is only temporary. Not only are those things temporary, but so are also the people themselves.

After Job points out things that people do that are evil and appear to get away with, he also points out that they are exalted for a short time. Then they are brought low and removed, just like everyone else and they dry out like grain and die.

The majority of people in this world seek to have things and positions to make themselves feel important or successful. Many will work hard, long hours to get the things that they desire. Often many will sacrifice family and friends and some personal pleasures in order to get what is desired.

Once these desires are achieved, many feel accomplished. However, those desires are often very temporary. At a minimum their lives are temporary. All of their money, status or position, is temporary. They rise for a short time, then all will die.

Upon death, then comes the reality of what is really important, whether the person was a follower of Jesus and had all sins forgiven and life given. None of those things, statuses or positions will mean anything any longer. They will pass away from this life only to step into eternity, either in heaven or hell based upon whether sins are forgiven or not.

In this life you may have accomplished some great task, risen to some high position, or gained some great wealth. While all of these things feel good right now, they are temporary. Your life on this earth is temporary. At some point you will die and all of your things and positions will fade away.

When you die you will have to face God for judgement on your life. The judgement is whether your sins have been forgiven or not. This makes the judgement of where you will spend the rest of eternity. Life is short, make it count for God and eternity.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will live your life on earth for God; that you will seek the things of God that will last for eternity; and that you will not get caught up in the temporary things of this world.

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Job 20:4-5 Wicked Victory Will Not Endure

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.

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Job 18:21 Not Knowing God

Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him who does not know God. Job 18:21

Every person on the earth has a physical place or location in which they dwell. Some are very simple and may be outdoors, while others are large and fancy homes or buildings. There is also another dwelling in which people may be in which it is not physical, but is of the spiritual realm. This realm has an effect upon their mind, spirit and emotional being. It is what brings about joy and fear, peace and disturbance.

Bildad describes how the wicked are punished and go through difficulties for their sins. He says that these places are the places in which the wicked or those who do not know God dwell.

Looking on the surface of most people, they appear to be doing fair. They are content on the surface with their lifestyle and living and doing as they want. Yet, underneath the surface many are living in fear, depression, pain, suffering, alone and much more. Rejecting God, they are willing to do whatever it takes to bring temporary satisfaction and joy, only to bring on more problems in life.

While the majority of the world do not really know about God, there are many who have been told about God, who still reject Him. They have turned away from God, not really knowing His great love that He has for them.

Anyone who does not know God will never know true peace in the heart, joy despite problems in life, forgiveness when having done something wrong, or the hope of something beyond this life.

Believers have all these things and much more, because they know God and have a relationship with Him. Everyone needs to make God their dwelling place.

You must ask yourself where your relationship with God is. It is one thing to know about God, but do you know God and His character?

Do not ignore God’s commands or the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life. Living for self and the world will only bring temporary satisfaction and then loss of everything in the end. Not knowing Him will bring on a judgement that you do not want.

God will provide all that you need and more when you put your focus upon Him and dwell with Him. Knowing God will give you true life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s character and love for you; that you will dwell in God’s plans for your life; that you will know the joy of living for God; and that you will know the peace in dwelling in God’s presence.

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Numbers 18:20 God Is Your Inheritance

The Lord said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.” Numbers 18:20

Getting an inheritance is the desire of a lot of people. This becomes even more true when a person’s parents are very wealthy. Parents will even often desire to set up an inheritance for their children.

Even though people do not like to see anyone pass away, they desire the inheritance. Many will fight over how much inheritance they get when there are multiple siblings.

God told Aaron that he would have no inheritance in the land, because He would be his inheritance.

Any inheritance received is meant to help those who are left behind after one passes away. It is a type of security on this planet among people. The inheritance of the world is only temporary and can wear out, break down, be used up, be stolen and much more.

While many people fight for inheritance, something that is only temporary, believers are not to focus on the temporary inheritance. Every person who has become a believer in Jesus now has an eternal inheritance that cannot fade, rot, be stolen and pass away. He gains God, the provider of everything needed, both now and throughout all eternity.

The receiving of food, clothing and shelter is good, but all are temporary and secondary to what Jesus provides. Jesus brings a person forgiveness of sins and provides eternal life.

Having the greatest physical inheritance that the world can offer is worthless compared to having peace with God, forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Believers must put their trust in God and rely upon His provision and not the temporary provision of the world.

Although you may be getting one someday or already have an inheritance from a loved one passing away, do not focus on that inheritance. Focus upon the inheritance that Jesus has already begun to give you. He will give you all you need and more from now throughout all eternity.

The inheritance of this world will only bring you temporary pleasure and then fade away. God’s inheritance will bring true life and will never fade away. Grab onto and hold onto what God has for you. Trust in what He has for you, rather than the temporary things of this world.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know what you have in Jesus; that you will see what you inherit in serving God; and that you will trust in the inheritance Jesus has purchased for you.

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Leviticus 23:42-43 Living In A Temporary Shelter

Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 23:42-43

People who move across country will often stay in temporary housing until they can find a permanent home. Others live in temporary housing when they lose their jobs or homes due to difficult circumstances.

Very few will choose to live in a temporary housing outside of a dire need for it. In the eyes of many it is a sign that one is destitute.

God told the Israelites that once a year the people were to live in temporary houses for a time as a remembrance that is where they lived when they were brought out of Egypt.

It is very common for most people to believe that where they are living is a permanent home for them. Most people do not desire to move anytime soon, unless they are planning to purchase a larger home or change jobs soon.

Temporary housing has challenges, new address, new location, unknown changes and more.

Outside of physical housing, the majority of people believe that this earth is all there is, it is their permanent home and that there is nothing more. Believers are to have a different perspective on their home on this planet.

Earth is just a temporary home for the believer until he can step into eternity with God. The believer’s permanent home will be in heaven.

Knowing this, the believer can hold onto things loosely, knowing that something better is coming some day. Everything on this earth, including the home, will pass away, but the home in heaven will never go away.

No matter where you live or what your future plans are on this earth, it is a temporary living space. Do not allow yourself to get wrapped up in the physical things of this earth that will pass away.

Focus your life on the eternal things of God. Your permanent home will be far greater than anything this world can offer.

You cannot bring the things of this world to heaven with you, but you can bring people with you. Point people to Jesus so that they can also have a permanent home in heaven some day with you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will hold loosely the temporary things of this world; that you will live with eternity with God in mind; and that the return of Jesus to bring you home will be a source of strength and encouragement to live for God.