“Tested and Protected”
By Dianne Prince
“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil’” (Job 1:8, NIV).
In our scripture today, the devil is having a conversation with God. During this exchange, God asks Satan if he has considered launching an attack on Job. As we delve into this passage, we see that God offered Job to be tested because He knew what was inside Job. God knew the trials Job would face, that he would grow impatient, but also that Job would remain faithful and persevere until the end.
Satan wanted to sift Job like wheat, but God had placed a hedge around him that prevented the devil from touching him (Job 1:9-11). Notice that the devil had to seek God’s permission to attack Job, and he had to return for permission each time he wanted to launch a different attack. The enemy needed approval to destroy Job’s possessions and children and later to harm Job’s health. Yet, each time, God set limits on what the enemy could do and how far he could go.
This scripture powerfully reminds us that God has a hedge of protection around you. The devil cannot touch you without God’s permission (Job 1:12).
Every trial in your life passes through heaven first. In other words, God controls the trials that come your way. Not only does God control the nature of the trial, but He also controls the intensity and the duration.
As trials arise, do what you can within your power. When there’s nothing more you can do, surrender it to God, pray His Word over it, and trust Him to guide you through. God knows where you are and every detail of your situation. He chose you to endure because He knows you can handle it. He knows you will stay faithful, seek His face, and learn the lesson He has for you. He knows you will endure to see the outcome He has planned.
Remember, God determined when your trial would end before it began. Until then, start each day thanking God for a new day and commit to praising Him through it.
