April 2 - Job (Pt. 2)

Week 14: 14 Min Run/14 Push-ups/14 Sit-ups

Job 1:6-12

6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." 9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." 12 The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Yesterday, I checked out Job and his character. Today, I am finding that Job wasn't only seen as a positive person by his family and community, but God himself claimed that Job was blameless and upright. It's pretty cool to have your community think of you as a righteous and blameless person, but God himself saying that there is no one like you on earth? That's pretty awesome. If God had a basketball team, I am pretty sure Job and Jesus would be the captains.

I find it interesting that God asked Satan where he had been. God knows everything about Satan and each and every person on this earth. Of course though, Satan answered God's question by saying that he was roaming through the earth. This is the work of Satan...he is constantly on the prowl (1 Peter 5:8). He lurks and waits to tempt God's children and even unbelievers into giving into the appeal of sin.

God had placed a hedge of protection around Job and blessed him in unbelievable ways. Job's faithfulness pleased the Lord and in return Job was taken care of. However, Satan desired to tempt Job and doubted that he would withstand the tests placed before him. God had full confidence in Job and gave Satan the opportunity to try Job. The Lord gave permission for Satan to use anything in Job's life, but he could not touch Job himself. Job's world is about to get flipped upside down...

Job is not Satan's only target. As Christians, we are targeted by the devil everyday. We especially have cross-hairs on our heads and on our backs if we stay in God's will and study and practice his word. It's no surprise that we are faced with hard times and trials, as it is clearly stated throughout the Bible. The gospel also informs us that if we should be cautious and pray to avoid temptation (Matt 26:41). If we stay close to the Lord, we will be spiritually strong in order to turn away from the traps set by Satan. At the end of each day, can we expect God to say that you or I, am a blameless and upright person? I think in most cases, I do well enough for God to say, "Chris tried today and failed many times, but I still love him unconditionally".

For that love, I am extremely thankful...