TEXT: JOB 1:9
''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 ./But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.''
It is not extra-ordinary a thing to laud God's praise while in paradise; singing of His faithfulness, whilst lying in green pasture, or walking beside the still water: but it shows nobility and raised humanity to dance before God in patched desert, and in days of adversities. Fallen angels believe that a man would be loyal to God when God puts a fence around him and his household and around all that belongs to him on every side; pouring His blessings on all the works of his hands: see Job 1:10. The lord of darkness, satan, respects no man's devotion until he has been given chance to try same: he believes that larger part of religious professors are holding unto their faith because of the physical gains in religion. He believes, to many, religion is a means of gaining name and place amongst men. 'Doth Job fear God for nought?' the power of hell has not ceased to ask this question before God respecting many a believer. Friends, do you fear God still because of His blessings? Suppose your Isaac is taken away, would you still praise Him? Were God to sink all you hold dear and strip you down to nothing, would you hymn His praise still? Observe that God gave in to satan proposal by handing Job and all he has to him: why so? I think, partly, for God to be, as it were, double sure of Job's faith; and partly to show to the host of hell once and for all, that there are remnants of human race whose devotions to God are not bottomed on anything but pure love to their maker. Friends, our fainting in the time of trial, discovers the littleness of our spiritual strength. A faith that endures and outlives satan's onslaught, gains the dread and respect of heaven and hell. _________________ Ojoje Adeyi
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