Until the Day Comes

The Scriptures today teach one sober lesson: a man must be watchful, because God will surely judge, though many mock the delay. Jehoshaphat is corrected for joining himself to those who hate the Lord, yet he is also charged to set judges in the fear of God, without bribes or partiality. So the servant of God must first receive correction, then practice justice. Peter says the scoffers will come, making lust their rule and delay their argument. But the Lord’s delay is not forgetfulness; it is mercy giving space for repentance. Still, the day will come, and the works of men will be disclosed.

Therefore Proverbs warns us not to be ruled by appetite, by the rich man’s table, by envy, by wine, or by greedy haste. A soul softened by luxury grows careless about judgment. A tongue loosened by drink and a heart fixed on gain are already preparing themselves for ruin. As it is written, “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has uneasiness? Who has babbling? Who has red eyes? Who has wounds without cause?” The mocker laughs at the promise of judgment; the drunkard and the lover of riches live as if no judgment were near. Both are deceived.

The apostolic word does not teach us to guess times, but to become holy. “Know this first, children, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts.” Since all these things shall be dissolved, let us loosen our grip on pleasures that perish. Judge rightly, deal honestly, keep the tongue, refuse corrupt companionship, and hasten toward the day by repentance, prayer, and mercy to the needy.