Prove Satan Wrong

Job 2:3-5 -  Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life.  But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."

 

Job had stayed faithful to God through all he had lost.  God was proud of his heart…but satan was still sure that his loyalties could be turned if Job was inflicted with pain. God was so sure of Job’s faith that he allowed satan full control of Job’s body…except for taking his life. So satan began torment him with boils…so bad that he took pottery pieces and scraped them to relieve the pain.

 

It is one of the hardest concepts to understand.  We want to question why God would even allow such pain.  We want to cry out like Job’s wife and blame God for our pain and suffering.  We want instant purpose for why he would allow such pain and suffering in anyone...especially innocent children.

 

One reason might just be to prove to satan that we love God more than we love the world we live in. I am reminded by this story that Job was chosen to suffer for Christ’s sake.  God was so sure of his faith…he allowed satan to torture him…just to prove he was wrong.

 

1 Peter 4:14-16 says… “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;  but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God” 

 

Father…thank you for this story that reminds me that my love for you must be so deep and strong that nothing can ever separate us.  Help me to remember that my best defense against satan’s temptations is to make sure my love of you is stronger than my love for the world.  Help me accept all hardships and pain as Job did…in quiet acceptance…because he knew you had a reason that you had just not revealed. Amen.