Job was a man of great wealth and many possessions. He was known as the greatest man in all of the east. Jesus said of Job, “There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil”. So why is it that God gave Satan permission to try and destroy Job mentally and physically? Perhaps it was to show Satan that God is unbeatable. Perhaps God was painting a picture of what true faith in Him should look like. Perhaps it’s exactly what’s stated in John 16:33: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Our study time together, allowed us to reflect on the incredibly tough trials that Job endured by losing all of his possessions, and worst of all, his 7 sons and 3 daughters. Despite those around him trying to place blame on Job for these occurrences or loved ones suggesting he curse God, Job stayed strong in his conviction of innocence and faith towards God. Although Job went through great confusion towards his understanding of God and why these things were happening to him, as we all have experienced, he wasn’t about to be influenced by the negative words or misleading advice that his wife and 3 friends we subjecting him too. From this, the question arises: How do we stand against negative words and movements that try to displace God?
The type of suffering that Job experienced is hard to comprehend, but the incredible lessons that God displays in this story are priceless. Most tables expressed that going through suffering can often have beneficial results that we’re not aware of at the time of struggle. It can be a learning experience. Or a time where you turned to God for help realizing you couldn’t handle the burden on your own, therefore strengthening your faith. We also discussed how seeing someone else’s faith persist in difficult times can be of great influence on our own lives.
Many tables brainstormed our final question of the day: “Is it clear as to what Satan learned from God and his followers? Is Satan still pursuing this goal of proving God wrong or is he strictly tempting us to sin?” It’s certainly hard for us to wrap our head around this question, but this lesson is just further proof that Satan has no power of the Lord.
Will you pray with me that throughout our daily struggles and trials, we will remain faithful and loyal to God, trusting in Him that all things are in His control. Furthermore, that we can be a light of the Lord to those in suffering.
God may bend us, but he won’t let us break.