Job 20:22
“In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him; the full force of misery will come upon him.”
Men universally, by nature, seek their happiness in earthly things. And though they meet with continual disappointment, they will persevere in the same unprofitable course, “spending their money for that which is not bread, and their labor for that which does not satisfy.”
The question, “Who will show us any good?” is asked by every man; but it is the godly man alone who answers it aright, “Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon me!” The godly man attains the object of his pursuit; but the ungodly man finds, by bitter experience, that, whatever the measure of his success is in the attainment of earthly things, “In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him.”
From these words, I will take occasion to show what a poor wretched creature a mere worldly man is:
I. The worldly man as viewed in himself, is wretched.
It is here supposed, that he may not only possess a very large measure of earthly things, but may have a consciousness that his portion is, as it were, “shaken together, pressed down, and running over.” Yet, in the midst of his plenty:
1. Distress will overtake the worldly man as it respects his present enjoyments.
Earthly things, of whatever kind they are—pleasures, riches, or honors—are all, in their nature, empty and unsatisfying. In their use, they are transient and cloying. In their effects, they are productive of trouble and vexation. Our blessed Lord has told us, that “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things that he possesses!” And Solomon, after trying all things to an extent that no other man ever did, has given us his testimony respecting them, that they are “all vanity and vexation of spirit!”
2. Distress will overtake the worldly man as it respects his future prospects.
Every man has a consciousness that there is a future state; and that earthly possessions, so far from advancing our preparation for it, tend rather to divert our attention from it, and to obstruct our progress in the heavenly life. It is no uncommon thing for a man, in the midst of all his earthly pleasures, to feel them embittered to him, by a consciousness that he is hastening to the eternal world, and is unprepared for it! In fact, though men may, for a season, shake off the thoughts of eternity, they cannot so divest themselves of it in a time of sickness, and in the approach of death, as not to feel exceedingly straitened in their spirit, and to acknowledge that they have been all their days following a phantom that has eluded their grasp and disappointed their expectations.
But, to see him in his true colors, look at:
II. The worldly man as viewed in contrast with a godly man, is wretched.
As an ungodly man may possess an abundance of earthly comforts—so may a godly man be reduced to great straits. We can scarcely conceive a more destitute condition than that of Lazarus, or that of those persecuted saints who “wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, Hebrews 11:37-38.” Yet, as the worldling is in distress in the midst of his abundance, so the godly are in abundance in the midst of all their straits.
1. The godly enjoy much in possession.
The godly have peace with God; and that is more to them than ten thousand worlds. With this they are content and reconciled fully to their state, whatever that state may be. However great their distress may be, they are resigned to it as their father’s will, and they assure themselves that “all things shall work together for their good.” They know that “their affliction is but light and momentary, and that it is working out for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!” Hence, so far from being dejected by their trials, they even “glory in them,” and find them a source of solid satisfaction, 2 Corinthians 12:10.
2. The godly enjoy much in future hope.
The godly are enabled to look up to Heaven, with an assurance, that, however destitute here, they have in that blessed world “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that never fades away.” They have already a foretaste of that bliss, in “a spirit of adoption,” and in the sealing of the Spirit, which is to them “a pledge” of what they are speedily to enjoy in all its fullness. How empty do all earthly things appear to him, while in such an elevated state as this! A king upon his throne, if not possessed of these spiritual treasures, is to him an object of pity rather than of admiration and envy; so infinitely is the worldly man below the child of God! The worldly man, in having all things, possesses nothing; but the saint, while “having nothing, in reality possesses all things! 2 Corinthians 6:10.”
APPLICATION.
1. Never seek happiness in a way of sin.
Sin may afford a present gratification; but, though it be as honey in the mouth, it will be bitter in the belly! So we are told in the preceding context, verse 12-14; and so it is found by every man.
2. Do not be too intent upon having the things of this world.
In earthly business, of whatever kind, we may be diligent. Yes, and great diligence will consist with great fervor of spirit, and spirituality of mind, Romans 12:11. But “our affections are not to be set on things below.” In Heaven alone is the treasure which we are to desire; and “where that is, our heart must be also.”
3. Seek your happiness in God alone.
There can be no disappointment in that which will make you rich in possession, and in reversion too; for if Christ be yours, “all other things must of necessity be yours also; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours; and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s! 1 Corinthians 3:21-23.”
Charles Simeon