Who Moved the Hedge?
The Bible says in Job chapter one that Satan who is our accuser, walks to and fro on the earth checking things out. He is observing our ins and outs with the sole intention of launching his attacks where it hurts the most.
One day God was having a conversation with Satan and this is how it went:
God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job?
Satan responded, “So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can’t lose!
“But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He’d curse you right to your face, that’s what.”
God replied, “We’ll see. Go ahead – do what you want with all that is his. Just don’t hurt him.”
The Bible says then Satan left the presence of God.
I often wonder what kind of conversation God and Satan are having about me. I wonder if God can brag about me in confidence. Will God say to Satan – “Go ahead—do what you want with all that is hers. Just don’t hurt her.”
When you look at your life is there any evidence that probably Satan and God have been having similar conversations? Will you stay faithful to God if everything you have was taken away from us in a blink of an eye?
This kind of conversation I find very fascinating.
Satan can do NOTHING without God’s approval. God always has the last word in ALL conversations. God does whatever He sees fit to do. Regardless of all the losses Job faced he did not sin nor accuse God with anything wrong.
There will be times while trying to cope with our losses the rumors fly around like hot bread straight out of the oven. Our haters make it much more difficult to live with our grief, but we must be determined not to lose heart nor accuse God of any wrong doings. Stand firm in faith.
We are not fighting alone. Stay faithful to God who gives us the grace to outlast the test. As human we will always have many questions with no easy answers. But be assured that the difficult situations we face as children of God are permitted by God to test our faith and in all of this, we will not do wrong nor blame God foolishly.
The Bible says that Job fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In our most vulnerable times when our strength is being severely tested may we always remember that the Lord gives and takes away and we will continue to bless His name forever. We came into the world empty handed and we will leave this world empty handed. No one ever died taking everything they own.
We may never have all the answers to why some things happen, but we will choose to keep the faith, no matter how terrible things look. Hold fast to your integrity.
Prayer Time: Father, I pray as we go through our times of testing like Job we will not sin or accuse you of doing us wrong. We will not lose hope in you. In Jesus Name, Amen
Amazing Grace 