“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” ‘ ” (Job 1:9-12).
Heavenly Father as we continue to look at the beginning, there is so much more than meet the eyes. There is the beginning on the inside (our minds), and there is the beginning on the outside, (our circumstances). We need Your help in controlling our internal reaction to our external circumstances. And we ask for this help in the powerful name of Jesus Christ! Amen.
In Job’s story, Job was not aware of where his trials and tribulations were coming from. He did not know about the conversation between God and the devil. He did not know that the devil was very subtley trying to get God to be the One who would cause the affliction, “But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has . . .”
But God’s response was, “That’s what you do, Satan, not I!” And I am giving you permission to do it, but I am setting the rules, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person” (My interpretation of that conversation).
Now Job did not know anything about this conversation. I am not sure what effect it would have had on him. I don’t know if it would have changed his reaction to his suffering. I do not know if at the end of his utter loss and suffering, it was revealed to him, or if, like many of us, he will have to wait until we get to heaven to understand, and make sense of things that we wonder about now. But whatever the case, the conversation with Jesus seems to have made all things right.
“A little talk with Jesus makes it right, all right! A little talk with Jesus makes it right, all right! In trials of every kind, praise God I always find, A little talk with Jesus makes it right, all right” (The Oak Ridge Brothers, emphasis supplied)!
What I can say, and probably I need to speak only for myself, is, that even though the pain at times can be abnormal (painful beyond human comprehension); for me, looking at Job’s experience, I am comforted by the fact, that no painful experience can touch me and my loved ones, without God’s permission! That in His love and mercy, He has put a hedge of protection around us, and our possessions! And He knows just how much we can bear, by His grace (2 Corinthians 12:9)! Thank You Jesus!
For some, what Job suffered, will never be considered just. In situations like these, I like to remind myself that no one can love anyone, more than God does! And that we can NEVER evaluate the actions of the Almighty! His sphere is so much higher than ours. We can never fully understand the ways and the whys of His actions! At these times, let us trust His love!
He already told us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts ” (Isaiah 55:8. 9).
Therefore, let us be willing to submit to His perfect will! His will is always based on love and justice!
Our conversation for today ends on a very unexpected note:
“And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, ‘ “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has” (Job 42:7, emphasis supplied).
Keep in mind, God not only hear our words, He sees our hearts!
This conversation continues.