Being Considered by God

Then 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 shuns evil." - Job 1:8

It’s fascinating that this was never part of the sermon or Sunday School lesson. At least as far as I can remember. I guess I pictured the scenario playing out differently. I knew God gave permission to Satan to attack Job but I didn’t realize God actually brought Job into the limelight.

Timing is everything in this passage. God brought Job up in the conversation with Satan. Have you considered My servant Job? After the Lord asked Satan where he had come from, Satan answered that he had been walking back and forth on the earth (1:7).

God praises Job. What an honor it would be to have these things said of us. That there is no one like us, that we are blameless and upright. But would we be ready for the testing of our faith in the face of adversity? How lovely the honor of being known as a man or woman of God seems to be until God really considers us.

Satan gives an explanation for Job’s praise.

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 works of his hand 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!” Job 1:9-11

God allows our faith to be tested in order to produce patience which leads to us being perfected (James 1:3-4). God is not tempting Job. (James 1:13). How Job responds to trial and the temptation to curse God is completely up to Job.

Does Job, do we, take away our love and our thanksgiving amidst adversity? Or do we remember that the same God that gives also takes away with no apology. He gave Satan permission. “All that he has is in your power, only do not lay a hand on his person.” Job 1:12

We may want to question God but we forget ourselves, who we really are. We are confined within time and the space of this earth. We have not yet breathed in the air of eternity. So maybe we mourn, we cry in despair because mortal things are taken away.

Temporal things are so easily interfered with. Our possessions, our prosperity, even human bodies. We cannot keep any of them. But there is that soul and the God who keeps it. That is really all that matters.