Awaken The Dawn

AWAKEN THE DAWN!

Do not mistake the discourse between God and Satan as mere wrangling, as if they were two mortal businessmen haggling over a piece of real estate. God is proud of His people, 13 and He does not hesitate to boast of them to Satan—even though He knows Satan will immediately challenge the spirituality of any commended saint. He knows that if His troubled child will trust Him even through the trials which Satan is allowed to bring, God will be glorified, the saint will gain spiritual strength, and Satan will be defeated. It almost seems that Job’s trial is precipitated by God’s own provocative question: Satan argues that any man so protected by God would serve Him. God responds by saying that Satan may do anything he wishes with Job’s wealth, but the man must not be harmed. Despite the devastation of his belongings, Job holds true to God, which prompts God to boast of His servant again to Satan. Then Satan asks to touch the man’s body. God says, “Go ahead, only don’t take his life.” God allowed Satan an audience with Him periodically, wherein His ancient adversary was free to make provoca- tive statements—even demands on His people. We see it clearly in the book of Job. However, God will not allow Satan to afflict Job unless Satan first asks and obtains per- mission. Satan may do his worst, but always within pre- scribed boundaries. The same adversary continues his evil work in the New Testament. Jesus, with prophetic insight, perceives that 142 Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil. 14