Job 8:13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.

If Eliphaz was not a good friend to Job, Bildad was worse. However, he too speaks some truth, even if it’s misapplied. I’m sure Job was so blessed when Bildad accused his children! (verse 4) NOT! The statement in this verse, though not always obvious, is actually quite true. We see people who ignore God seem to prosper greatly, as is noted in several places in the Bible, but their ultimate destiny is worse than empty. A particular example that has recently come to my attention is Bill Gates. At one point he was officially “The richest man on the planet,” but his personal life has been a wreck. It seems he has been predatory toward every attractive woman he has encountered, and it looks like he is deeply entwined with the “New World Order” mess. I would hate to have that on my resume when I stand before God! There is great danger in this world’s “success,” because it has a strong tendency to distract us from our Creator. Right now the whole world is reeling from the delusions of Vladimir Putin, and I could go on and on naming person after person, but I would be no better than Bildad here if I did that. The point isn’t to go accusing others and feeling righteous for doing so, but rather to check our own attitudes and be humble before God. One of the big themes of the Bible, and certainly of Job, is that material things are ephemeral and God is eternal. When we place our hope on the material, it indeed fades to nothing.

I’ve never been what any Westerner would categorize as rich, but compared to the average person in Afghanistan, for example, I’m a plutocrat. Regardless, I’ve been distracted by the things of this world just as everyone is at times. I too need to be careful with my focus, and specifically, where I place my hope. As I quoted back on the 1^st, it’s like the hymn says: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” That’s an absolutely secure hope that cannot be shaken! My ultimate hope is indeed eternity with my Lord, but I need to let Him show me what shorter-term goals He has for me, what things I’m to hope for in this life. I do know that a major goal and hope is the salvation of the Japanese people, but that is clearly not something I can accomplish on my own. I’ve got to be careful that my hope isn’t fixated on specific numbers, but on my Lord who loves this nation even more than I do. As I pray, I need to keep myself available and responsive to God as a tool for Him to use in answering those prayers, so that indeed His name may be acknowledged as holy and His rule and authority be established as His will is done perfectly, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me indeed keep my hope in You, being aware of and obedient to You at all times, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!