Depart from us

Bible Reading: Job 21-23 Job 21:14-15 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? As Job discussed with his 'friends', he began to talk about the wicked. They live life as if God does not exist. They are born, they raise families, they do business, they live and they die and never give a thought to God. More than that, they say to God, "Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways." This is the way that many people live. They don't want to know about God. They don't believe that they should serve him or worship him. They don't pray to him. The Bible says that this is the belief of a fool. Psalms 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. Notice also that Job tells us that it is the wicked who do not think there is any profit in prayer. If they don't want to know about his ways, they certainly will not pray. For the believer, however, prayer is essential. Do you live a life of prayer? Do you pray and bring your requests for yourself and others before God's throne regularly? The believer prays. The wicked do not. Jesus told a parable to instruct us to always pray and not faint. It is about a judge and a widow who continues to appeal to him for justice. He finally gets tired of her coming and gives her the justice she is seeking. Jesus used this as a 'how much more' teaching to say that God always hears our prayers. Even though he may not answer them immediately, we should always pray. Then, Jesus said this: Luke 18:8 Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? When he comes will he find you praying? Or will he find you asking what profit there is in prayer? The believer prays. The wicked do not. In Christ, Rody