Have you ever had a really bad day? Our reading today from Job 1-2 constitutes the ultimate description of a "bad day." Perhaps when we get home tonight and we are tempted to describe our day as less than favorable, we can put things in perspective with the story of Job. In one day he lost his crops, his buildings and his children. On a second day, immediately following that disaster, he lost his health. Satan was allowed to inflict onto Job all the evil he could muster. But, how did he do it? When God allows Satan to move Satan often uses the available resources at his disposal. What is available to him? Apparently evil men can be enticed by him to do his bidding and make the life of a believer painful. In chapter 1 of this text the Sabeans and the Chaldeans were both used to execute the evil Satan wanted to inflict unto Job. Satan also was given control over the wind to destroy Job’s family. In chapter 2 of the text, Satan was even given some control over the cells in Job’s body. We sometimes think of evil and disaster and disease as simply the sin of this world. But, in truth they are often used by Satan to exact suffering onto God’s people, allowing God to both purify us and to prove us to this world. Have you ever thought that maybe those who are a thorn in our side are simply Satan using men to test and prove us for God? A bad day is more than a bad day ... it is an example of how Satan is using the evilness of this world to discourage us and get us to curse God. If only we could evaluate our day in the light of Job's attitude ... "naked I came into the world and naked I shall return."
No comments:
Post a Comment