Don’t think of Satan as a harmless cartoon character with a red suit and a pitchfork. He is clever and powerful, and his unchanging purpose is to defeat God’s plan at every turn – including His plans for your life.
Billy Graham
In 2018, my husband had terrible right shoulder pain. We had been to the doctor, did some x-rays, received a cortisone shot on the site, and a series of massages and Physiotherapy appointments to relieve the pain he was feeling.
During this time, we noticed that he was always moody, irritable, and was not socially engaging. Nothing relieves his pain and he was in constant agony. Then we came upon a video of a pastor named Derek Prince. He was talking about how the devil can inflict physical afflictions to distract people especially if they are Christians.
What we got from his sermon was that we should continuously read the Bible. But not only read with the eyes but by reading the verse aloud. Also, we prayed aloud our faith in Jesus and our submission to God’s will.
Praise God, Pavlo’s pain decreased and now it is no longer bothering him.
History to Understand the Word of God
Job is one of the earliest books on the Old Testament, set in the time of the Patriarchs. His name in Hebrew means “persecution” or “persecuted one”. While in Arabic it means “to come back” or “repent”. Job was a man who lived in Uz, with his family and servants. He was a blameless, righteous and upright man who feared God. The story of Job answers the question “Why do good people suffer?” Moreover, this book talks about the complexity of God’s nature and how He always does things for our good.
Bible Reading
Today’s devotional reading is from the Book of Job 2:1-11. Please, read our recent devotional from the Book of Romans 1:24-32: Are We Really That Strong To Face The Living God At The End?
I wanted to highlight some verses in chapter 2 of the book of Job. These verses resonated with me. And I wanted to share them with you, so you and I can reflect on them. Additionally, these will help us when we, too are faced with hardships and sufferings in this life.
Proud Father
Job 2:3
God is our heavenly Father who is happy and proud when His children do everything good, righteous and pure, which are pleasing to Him. Like our earthly fathers, God takes joy in us when we obey His commandments. This is the second time that God, presented Job as an upright man. This was after, he lost his children, livestock and properties. Furthermore, God emphasized on Job not losing his integrity and trust in the Lord despite the calamity he recently faced.
(Please visit the Weekly Insight: Our Heavenly Father. To see another article about God our Father.)
Satan knows our weakness
Job 2:4
Satan is the accuser, and he will do everything he can to destroy our relationship with Jesus, our Lord. Likewise, he knows that people are carnal and will give in to carnal desires when tempted. This is true, especially when our spirit is weaker than our flesh. Furthermore, he uses our weak earthly bodies as a source of temptations to brought about reactions that are not righteous in the eyes of God. For example, he can inflict pain that makes us irritable and mad at others. When this happens, we are not effective living testimonies of God’s love for all.
(Please visit the Weekly Insight: You Are The Living Testimony Of God’s Love And Grace. To see another article about us as living testimonies of God)
God still is in control
Job 2:6
God is sovereign above all. And He is omnipotent and omnipresent. Satan can only do so much to try our faith and to afflict us. As Paul wrote, God does not give us tests that will overcome us (1 Corinthians 10:13). Satan is just a creation like us. But the difference is that he was eaten up by enviousness towards God’s power and authority. He rebelled against God and now he wants us, whom God loves, not to be united with our Father.
Two types of people
Job 2:9-10
When Job was holding fast in his faith in God even though he cannot understand the reasons for his sufferings, his wife did the opposite. His wife became resentful of God and did not trust Him because of the adversities that they faced. As Jesus said, we will have tribulations in this world, but be of good cheer because he has overcome the world (John 16:33).
This should be a reminder for ourselves that all things we have are graces from God. Our life may not be smooth sailing but we have an assurance that God through the Holy Spirit is with us. Further, He has promised us eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Reflection
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
- Do you make God proud of how you react to burdens?
- Are you easily distracted when you experience temptations or problems with your physical body?
- How do you strengthen your spiritual body?
- Do you believe and rely upon that God is in control of everything?
- Do you want Him to be in control of your life? Accept Jesus Now.
- Who do you resonate with more? Job or his wife?
Prayer
Our heavenly Father, Holy be Thou name. We give you thanks for all the graces we receive from you through your Son Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask for your mercy on our sins (mention your sins).
Lord Jesus, we know that these sins are the hindrances to have a perfect relationship with you so we lay them at the foot of your cross. May your precious blood wash away our sins.
Oh, Holy Spirit we ask for your protection. Defend us from the evil ones that are trying to snatch us away from our Father. May our spirits be strengthened with your help.
All these we humbly ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
