When the Devil Has His Way With You

The story of Job gets worse for a long time before it gets better. The first two chapters present a behind-the-scenes look at the heavenly realities that Job knows nothing about. In chapter 1, Satan wanted Job's blessings ripped from him. In chapter 2, he takes aim at his health. In both instances, God is the one who brings him up. 

Job 2:3 (ESV) And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.”

And Satan's evil is on display in the next verse:

Job 2:4–6 (ESV) Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

Now the interesting phrases of our English translation show that although Satan was allowed to torment Job, his life was never in doubt. God had his life in His hands and no one would take it from Him. 

Job 2:7–10 (ESV) So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. 9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job's blessings and health were gone. What was left was the wife and when she speaks, we kind of understand why the devil left her alone. And in case you think this is a fable, consider the clear descriptions of Job's suffering from his own testimony:

Job 19:20 (ESV) My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.

Job 30:30 (ESV) My skin turns black and falls from me, and my bones burn with heat.

Job 7:14 (ESV) then you scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions,

Job 7:4 (ESV) When I lie down I say, ‘When shall I arise?’ But the night is long, and I am full of tossing till the dawn.

Weight loss, fever, nightmares, and sleeplessness torment this man for a long time. He is suffering unjustly as Satan attacks him to discredit the goodness of God in his life. 

This is a picture of the devil having his way with you. And it's as ugly as he is. What Job models here is an unreal amount of faith, not cursing God. He may want to die, but he will not blame God for the devil's work. That is what true trust in the Lord looks like. 

So many people quite easily blame God for the devil's evil. Mind you, they ignore all the days of joy and abundance He provides and they focus solely on the day He allowed evil to befall them. But Job is teaching us first about real trust in God. Yes, He is in charge of what comes into our lives, but He is not to blame. The real question of every trial is, "Can I still believe God is in control right now?"

May your trials bring you greater trust in the Lord who reigns supreme.