Satan, May 29

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Job 1:6-12, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know how this story from the Book of Job turned out.  Job, (after many trials, was greatly blessed) but here we learn some very important facts about Satan, prior to him being cast out of heaven. Satan, a blessed, but eternally fallen angel, became Your enemy and the enemy of all those who love You.

Here we see that Satan has powers to tempt us (to sin), granted by the Father. Father, this excerpt makes a powerful point. Satan is claiming that some men love You who are blessed by You and that if their blessings are taken away, apparently for no good reason, they will abandon their faith in You.

Father, we too face the same temptation. When we lose our resources (home, money, jobs, a loved one, etc.) we are greatly saddened and the test ensues. What will be our response?  We know Job’s response was one of continued faith and patience, even when Satan was allowed to attack his physical health in a final attempt to break his spirit.

Father, life is a cherished reality and when the quality of this life is threatened, we are severely tested. It is at that time that we pray You will show us the wonders of Your presence and creation and the enduring strength of Your Holy Spirit in us. We know that to be absent from the body is to be present with You, provided we have committed our spirit to be joined with Your Spirit. We do not wish to leave as long as You have things You want us to do.

Help us O’God to focus on Your eternal love when the temporary things, which will not survive anyway, are taken away. Bless us and strengthen us this day. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064