Day 4. 2025.
Reading the Bible chronologically 365 days.
“One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”
Job 1:6-12 NIV
Wait.
What?
The angels and Satan gathered to meet with God. God and Satan conversed. They specifically discussed Job, his virtuous life, and the validity of his devotion to God.
It kind of stretches my faith and my thinking to ponder on the idea that God and Satan had (or have) meetings. And it really blows my circuits to think that they discussed a specific person and debated the genuineness of his faith. Yet in the midst of my pondering I see Immanuel… God with us. A Sovereign God who intimately knows His creation.
As a result of these particular meetings, Job lost everything except his life, and yet he did not sin by blaming God. He didn’t sin by doubting God’s goodness. For sure, Job questioned why such grief had entered his life. He mourned mightily. He was depressed. He wished he hadn’t been born. Job was bereft because his losses were extreme, but in all his pain and suffering he did not reject God.
God with us… Immanuel. Again, I see God’s {withness}.
God has sovereignty over Satan. God allows some hard things to touch our lives. God also covers us and protects us and tells Satan to back away. God is with us in it all. He never leaves us in the good and He never abandons us in the darkest, hardest moments of life.
If you’re still asking why God would allow Satan to touch our lives with even a tidbit of suffering, I am not sure I know the answer. Even if I had an answer, I’m not sure it would be satisfactory to someone suffering and grieving. I gleaned from the three visiting friends that it’s probably best to stay silent.
However, God is not offended by your questions. Ask Him. He’s sovereign, powerful and loving to meet you in your questions. The Holy Spirit of God will guide you into all wisdom if you will ask. He is a counselor and a comfort to all who are in need.
This Bible Project video will surely help explain the Old Testament book of Job.
Immanuel… God is with us.
Eyes on Jesus and Shine,
Lisa
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