Thoughts of Grace

Have we thought of our Father’s talk with Satan about Job?

Job 1:1-12
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job;
and that man was perfect and upright,
and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
His substance also was seven thousand sheep,
and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen,
and five hundred she asses, and a very great household;
so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day;
and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about,
that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning,
and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all:
for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned,
and cursed God in their hearts.
Thus did Job continually.

Now there was a day when the sons of God
came to present themselves before the LORD,
and Satan came also among them.
And the LORD said unto Satan,
Whence comest thou?
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said,
From going to and fro in the earth,
and from walking up and down in it.
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?
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said,
Doth Job fear God for nought?
Hast not thou made an hedge about him,
and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?
thou hast blessed the work of his hands,
and his substance is increased in the land.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath,
and he will curse thee to thy face.
And the LORD said unto Satan,
Behold, all that he hath is in thy power;
only upon himself put not forth thine hand.
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

In my storytelling way I hear:

My Father:“Where did you come from?”

Satan:“O, Just walking about trying to find someone to destroy.”

My Father: “Have you considered my saints?
There are none like them on the earth.
They are perfect in my eyes, they fear and honor Me,
and they avoid all appearances of evil.”

Satan “Your saints have trusted you
because you have blessed them
‘exceeding abundantly above all
that they could ask or think’
Ephesians 3:20

Even David says in Psalm 40 :1-4
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth,
even praise unto our God:
many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust,
and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Take away your protection!
Expose them to the trials of men!
Then they will begin to fear and doubt and forsake you!”

Then our Father granted Satan the power to try His saints
because knew His people,
He had confidence that they would be faithful.
‘For I know him, that he will command his children
and his household after him,
and they shall keep the way of the LORD,
to do justice and judgment; Genesis 18:19a.

Today as God’s people:
We feel the fear and panic of others
We see the tense faces
We see the empty shelves
We travel on emptier streets.

Today we also hear the words of our Father.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;
be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:
for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua1:9

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and thou king Jehoshaphat,
Thus saith the LORD unto you,
Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude;
for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:
set yourselves,
stand ye still,
and see the salvation of the LORD with you,
O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed;
to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
And they rose early in the morning,
and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa:
and as they went forth,
Jehoshaphat stood and said,
Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem;
Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established;
believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
2 Chronicles 20:15, 17, 20

I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel:
my reins also instruct me in the night seasons,
I have set the LORD always before me:
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. .
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:
my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Psalm 16:7-9

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation:
and thy right hand hath holden me up,
and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me,
that my feet did not slip
Psalm 18:35-36

Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (because)
But my God shall supply all your (my) need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:13, 19-20

Let your conversation be without covetousness;
and be content with such things as ye have:
for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Hebrews 13:5-6

In times like these
Hold tight to our Father’s unchanging right hand.