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PHYSICAL SUFFERING
FRIDAY, APRIL 8
Job 2:1-6

1 Peter 2:21-25

 

Commit yourselves to Him

that judgeth righteously.

 

PHYSICAL SUFFERING
 
Although he is eternally doomed, Satan continues to battle with God. His eternal condemnation was sealed when Christ died on Calvary (John 12:31). At the final judgment, Satan will be cast into eternal punishment (Rev 20:10). However, for the time being, he is allowed to try the children of God.
 
Satan failed in his first attack against Job. He again entered into God’s presence and God once again pointed out Job’s faithfulness. Job, like every obedient believer, reminded Satan that Satan’s doom was sure. God pointed out to Satan that, despite his unmerciful and unwarranted attacks on Job, Job’s position before God had not changed (Job 2:1-3).
 
Originally, Satan had claimed that if all of Job’s blessings were removed, he would desert God (Job 1:11). Having failed in this, Satan tried to cover his failure by intimating that God was protecting Job in a special way, and asked for further power over Job. Satan complained that God had not permitted him to harm Job physically – physical pain weakens a person as nothing else can. (The Apostle Paul had a chronic affliction and had to lean heavily on God’s sustaining grace – 2 Cor 12:7, 9.) We must be especially on guard against Satan when we are tired and weak because of physical affliction (Job 2:4-5).
 
God granted Satan’s request but limited his activity against Job. When we walk in obedience, Satan has no power over us except as permitted by God. Our God is the Sovereign Commander. He sets the boundaries of the battle and leads His people on to victory. God now opened the hedge around Job a little wider. Previously, Satan was not permitted to touch Job’s person, but now this limitation was removed. However, Satan still could not interfere with the length of Job’s life (Job 2:6).
 
Job was about to suffer because of his love for God. Likewise, when we are tested similarly, we are promised that God will never leave us nor forsake us. With this promise in mind, we can stand against the onslaught of the Evil One.
 
THOUGHT: In what way is Satan’s power limited?

PRAYER: Father, no matter what the test, Thou canst give me victory.

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