“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil”

1 Peter 3:12

Job is known as a patient man (see James 5:11: “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy”). When Satan presented himself before God, take note of what God said about Job: “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” (Job 1:8). Therefore, we understand what kind of a man Job was – a righteous man. In addition, God knew Satan had set his heart to try to destroy Job. When God allowed Satan to put his hand against Job, note that it was with God’s permission, for God knew Job could handle it. Job was faithful through the first set of trials: “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:22).

Nevertheless, Satan wanted to do more. Once again, God allowed Satan to put his hand against Job in his health, but he could not take Job’s life. Note what we read: “…In all this did not Job sin with his lips” (Job 2:10b).

Understand that the book of Job opens with this behind-the-scenes event that Job never knew about. Nevertheless, Christians can learn so much. Satan is accountable to God, and he cannot do anything to God’s people without God’s permission. It is also very clear that Satan’s thoughts are an open book to God – for God knew what Satan was thinking before he even mentioned Job. We also read that Satan had been “… going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it” (Job 1:7b). Satan is not omnipresent, nor is he omniscient! He does not know everything like God does. Satan is limited – God is not limited! We can also understand that God’s eyes are always on His children. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him …” (2 Chronicles 16:9a). Job endured this trial very well. At the end we can read, he understood that he thought that he knew God well before these trials. However, in this trial, he really got to know God. “5. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6). This man that we understood was perfect and upright man, recognized that he was just another sinful man once he really understood who God is.

Job is a great example to be where God has placed you, doing what God would have you to be doing, and understanding that nothing can or will happen to you that God doesn’t already know you can handle.  Remember: “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

Are you where God wants you to be doing what you are to be doing?

Do you see God for who He is and what He is doing in your life?