Scripture: Job 1: 8-11
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.”
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “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. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
Scripture Commentary: Have you been a fair weather believer or do you have the faith of Job?
Satan came to God after roaming the earth looking for those whom he could possibly turn away from God. And God asked Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job?”
Satan attacked Job’s motives for being faithful to God, saying that Job was blameless and upright only because he had no reason to turn against God. Everything in Job’s life had gone well. Satan wanted to prove that Job worshiped God not out of love, but because God had given him so much.
Satan accurately analyzed why many people trust God. They are fair weather believers, following God only when everything is going well or for what they can get.
God expects you to express your faith even when you’re struggling
Adversity destroys this superficial faith. Adversity, however, strengthens real faith by causing the believer to dig their roots deeper into God to withstand life’s storms.
Although God loves us, believing and obeying Him does not shelter us from life’s calamities. Setbacks, tragedies, and sorrows strike Christians and non-Christians alike. But for the Christian, God expects us to express our faith to the world during our trials.
How do you respond to the trials in your life? Do you ask God, “Why me?” or do you say, “Use me!”?
God is never caught by surprise by our troubles
The conversation between God and Satan teaches us an important fact about God: He is fully aware of every attempt by Satan to bring suffering and difficulty upon us.
While God may allow us to suffer for a reason beyond our understanding, He is never caught by surprise by our troubles and He is always compassionate. God’s love for us is truly immeasurable.
Think of how God has lifted you, your family and loved ones out of harm’s way, even when you were in darkness. God’s love is true and unchanging.
Read the Entire Chapter:
Job Chapter 1