Jude 1:5-7 - Payday Someday

Today, Sunday October 31 Payday Someday Jude 1:5-7 “But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Many of us get discourage when we observe that all around us in this present world it seems like the ungodly and evil people seem to prosper and enjoy the pleasures of sin as if there were no consequences. We try to live godly lives and do what is right but everything seems to be against us. We face ridicule, persecution, and trials and tribulation that appear to have no end. David addressed this same question often in the book of Psalms of why do the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. Psalm 94:1-7 “O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs-- O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud. LORD, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph? They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. They break in pieces Your people, O LORD, And afflict Your heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless. Yet they say, "The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand." David dealt with this question in more detail in Psalm 73:1-5 “Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.”  Read the entire chapter. Jude is reminding his readers and us that one day judgement will come upon the ungodly! While we are being “preserved” for glory, they are being “preserved” for judgement (v. 4). When I was a young pastor I was privileged to hear in person the wonderful pastor of Belleview Baptist Church, R.G Lee, preach his famous message, Payday Someday! I will never forget it! It was about King Ahab and Jezebel stealing Naboth’s vineyard and how one day God brought terrible judgment upon them (1 Kings 21). Watch it here: https://youtu.be/0mstq4QTyrQ So how should we respond? David tells us how and what to do in Psalm 37:1-7: “Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” As surely as there is a God in heaven, He will one day reward the righteous and send punishment on the wicked! Today, don’t fret about all the liars and evil doers! Don’t let them disturb your peace. Delight in the Lord, commit everything to Him, trusting and resting patiently in Him and remember, He has the final word! Payday Someday. God bless!