As will be discovered from yesterday’s devotional, the story of Job being followed here is not the vivid account of how he suffered. However, it is about the outstanding good personality of Job that appealed God greatly to the extent God would say to Satan, have you considered the man called Job? There is no way he will offend me or involve in evil practices! We are living in the world where many believed that evil comes to those doing evil things. Fact remains here that Satan hardly attacks those doing his bids. Job was indeed a man full of pious life qualities. God knew everything about Job in and out. God did not draw Satan’s attention to Job because He hated Job. He was full of pride for Job, knowing him as one who cannot compromise anything other than following God faithfully.
Satan has wrong impression on the faithfulness of Job to God. Satan believed that Job was faithful and loyal to God because God abundantly blessed Job. Hear Satan: “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not made hedge around him, around his household, and blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land…” (Job 1: 9 – 10). This is wrong impression that the world still bank on today. It is a wrong impression because the rich and wealthy hardly know God. God did not talk about Job’s riches and wealth with Satan but his upright living generally. This devotional wants readers to know that Satan and his cohorts are after the good people and not their riches and wealth.
Job was very respected by all the people of his days not because of his riches and wealthy statute, but for his all-round goodness. God loved him for he was upright and blameless, yet Satan touched him. This is a man who vowed not to allow his integrity departs him, yet Satan wanted to rob him of his integrity. He shared his wealth and riches with the poor, clothed the widows, yet Satan touched him. He never saw anyone going naked without clothing such, yet Satan rented him naked of everything he had. Satan did all these so that Job could turn away from God. Satan challenged God in this area saying: “But now stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse you to your face” (Job 1: 11). The aftermath of this statement made God allowed Satan to touch all that Job has, but not to touch his person. See how God held Job in confidence! Can God hold any one these days in such confidence? Are you faithful to God for how much He had blessed you? The beloved, your enemies are attacking you because they know that God is pleased with you. Satan’s aim is that, you speak evil of God to His face so that He will punish you. Be like Job so that God would speak to Satan about you: “Have you considered my servant so and so” for your outstanding good behaviours.
PRAYER:
Almighty Father, forgive me of wrong impression I built thinking that those you blessed are those to worship you in Spirit and truth. Make me know your mission behind any suffering that comes on my ways from today forward, in Jesus name.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch