Reading: Job 1-4
And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord (Job 1:12). And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life (Job 2:6).
For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (Col. 1:16-17). God is Lord of all. There is nothing in all creation that is not His to command, including Satan. Satan answers to God as a subordinate, even though he does not strive to do His will. Before he can tempt and torment human beings, Satan has to have God's permission. That is not an easy concept for man to accept. We struggle to understand why God would allow an innocent to suffer at the devil's whim.
Written out in black and white, as it is in the Book of Job, the words are painful to read. Yet a beautiful picture emerges if we take a moment to look deeper into their meaning. And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Gen. 1:26). God did not create mindless minions. He created man to stand beside Him. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him (4:7). He has given us the unique privilege of following Him, not because we have to, but because we want to. No other creature created by God has that right, not even Satan or the angels in heaven.
By allowing us to be tempted and tested, God is allowing us to freely choose Him. Many conclude that He is the author of our suffering because He permits it to happen, but God is not the cause of our misfortune. Pain and suffering entered this world through the decision of man, and God will not protect us from the consequences of that decision. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat (3:6). Satan is now a part of the world, and his influence and interference will cause us pain. We cannot be ‘good’ or ‘righteous’ enough to avoid him. Even so, we can draw comfort from God’s presence. He will give us the strength to endure, and if we persevere and take refuge in Christ, we will ultimately receive our birthright. We will at last stand alongside God.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (I Cor. 10:13).
Thought for Today: No force can truly oppose God, no matter what they may claim; they can only choose not to follow Him.
Christ Revealed: In the conversation between Satan and God Almighty (Job 1:6-12). We can see the meaning of Christ's warning to Peter that Satan wanted to sift him as wheat (Luke 22:31). It is comforting to know that Satan cannot test us beyond the will of God.
Word Studies: 1:1 eschewed = avoided; 1:20 rent = tore; mantle = robe; 2:8 potsherd = piece of broken pottery; 3:16 untimely birth = stillborn; 3:24 roarings = grief, groanings; 4:2 assay = attempt; 4:4 upholden = helped, upheld.
Pray for Government Officials Rep. Rick Larsen (WA), Rep. Adam Smith (WA)Rep Kevin Mullin (CA) • Country: Saint Barthelemy (7,267) Caribbean • Major Languages: French, English • Religious Freedom • Roman Catholic; Protestant; Jehovah's Witness • Prayer Suggestion: Humbly kneel before the Lord with a contrite heart as you pray (Ezra 9:5-6).
Optional Reading: Galatians 4.