SCRIPTURE: Job 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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. [Job 1:9-12]
The story of Job is well known; it was written as a theodicy (an explanation for why God allows suffering).
Scholars indicate that it was not originally a Jewish story, though someone (Moses?) brought it into the sacred reading list because of how it addressed the hard question of God and suffering.
The basic idea is that God allows Satan to test Job, to show that his confidence is not because of favours received but because of his devotion to God.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” [Luke 22:31]
Jesus points out that Satan is still in the business of trying to bring down God’s followers. He also makes it clear that Satan does not have a free hand; he must work within God’s boundaries, under God’s supervision.
And notice how Jesus does not just snap His fingers and make Satan stop, but instead He prays for Peter, for strength to endure the test.
What? God allows suffering? Jesus doesn’t just fix everything, but supports us through the trials?
It seems that God’s goal is not to make life easy and happy for us, but rather to strengthen our faith through trials.
Peter likens this to the purifying process of gold in the flame: These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [1 Peter 1:7]

This is not an easy message, and I have met many christians who have believed otherwise.
They live with a “good people are blessed, bad people suffer” mentality.
And when bad things happen for no apparent reason, they are angry at God and wonder what they have done to deserve this. As we shall see, this is the attitude of Job’s friends too.
Job goes through a severe test, not one that I would want to go through.
And sometimes Satan taunts me in similar fashion -saying the only reason I believe and preach is because my life has been easy – would I still live and speak so strong if I lost those most important to me?
I try not to dwell on Satan’s taunts, though at times I do wonder what my faith would look like if I suffered like I have seen others suffer – just being honest.
We will also see that Job struggles; though he does not give up on God, he does eventually accuse and blame God.
Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. [Job 1:20-22]
The song “Blessed be The Name” (‘you give and take away’) is based on these words from Job, but I do wonder, would I sing this song if I lost someone precious to me, or if my world fell apart like Jobs?

PRAYER:
Lord, I am not looking forward to reading through Job. Help me to be honest both about my faith and my doubt. Use this reading to help me say, “praise the name of the Lord!” when it really counts!