FAITH CAPSULE: With Jesus, man is set to overcome. Rest your case in Jesus!
Psalm 34
The book of Job 1:3 recorded possessions of Job, “…seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.” Job was blessed physically, materially and spiritually. The word of God described Job as a blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. (Job1:1) He was also blessed with seven sons and three daughters. In one day, without warning, Job lost his blessings despite his standing in the Lord.
Job lurched from the pinnacle of prosperity to the pit of poverty. Disasters located Job from earth and heaven. From earth, his livestock and servants were raided and killed by the Sabeans. From heaven, fire fell and burned up the sheep and servants and great wind destroyed his house and killed his children. As if the loss of Job’s property and children was not enough his health became a victim of unexpected attack. Job was struck, “…with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes.” (Job 2:7-8) Amid it all, Job did not despise his God. Job, a blameless and upright man with the fear of God could not be excused from challenges of this world. Job’s three friends were the representation of world complicating Job’s challenge. Job’s world took a position discouraging Job in his affliction. The three friends questioned Job’s standing in the Lord and concluded it was the result of Job’s sin before God.
Job’s affliction was the request of Satan when Satan went before God as stated, “But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” (Job 1:11) God did not deny the request of Satan but responded, “…Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”” (Job 1:12) True indeed, the devil is an adversary of man before God. Satan has been moving around for whom to devour.
Under heaven, man is to take stand in the living God for unfailing deliverance regardless of affliction. Psalm 34:19 is encouraging as stated, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” As if the Psalmist is not enough encouragement, Jesus assurance is certain to deliver stating, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Satan is a liar, a blatant thief. With Jesus, man is set to overcome. Rest your case in Jesus!
Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to deny the hands of wicked concerning your life.