The Difference Divine Protection Makes
Satan replied to the LORD, "Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!"
"All right, you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence.
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother's house, a messenger arrived at Job's home with this news: "Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking. A third messenger arrived with news: "Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." Job 1:9-19 (NLT)
"All right, you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence.
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother's house, a messenger arrived at Job's home with this news: "Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking. A third messenger arrived with news: "Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." Job 1:9-19 (NLT)
Satan had been eyeing Job for a long time. His sole goal was to attack and destroy at the least opportunity. He was looking for an opening into Job's life so he could have the "legal grounds" to inflict incalculable damage. Any form of sin in Job's life would have given Satan "the legal grounds" to attack. He was fixated on finding any reason to attack Job. But try as he did, he found no entry point into Job's life because Job continued to live righteously. The power of righteous living makes it difficult for the devil to find an entry point into our lives, and so keeps his destructive activities away from us!
When Satan had permission from God to attack, he was relentless, and in one day Job lost everything he had: His children, farms, houses, and all his possessions!
There is one overriding thing that is worth pondering over. It is this: Without the grace of God and His divine protection, we are absolutely nothing! Scripture is right as always: It is only because of the mercies of God that we are not consumed. His mercies are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Please take time to reflect over the fact that everything you are and all that you have is a gift from God. Not only does God give us the ability to acquire possessions, but it is also His mercies and protection that keep those things in our possession. Divine protection makes all the difference.
When Satan had permission from God to attack, he was relentless, and in one day Job lost everything he had: His children, farms, houses, and all his possessions!
There is one overriding thing that is worth pondering over. It is this: Without the grace of God and His divine protection, we are absolutely nothing! Scripture is right as always: It is only because of the mercies of God that we are not consumed. His mercies are new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Please take time to reflect over the fact that everything you are and all that you have is a gift from God. Not only does God give us the ability to acquire possessions, but it is also His mercies and protection that keep those things in our possession. Divine protection makes all the difference.
Prayer: Father, thank you for your protection. Amen.