Many people believe in God, but don’t understand His loving character. Some would think that he supports the accuser or ‘trialer’ of our faith instead of the actual trial (1Pet 1:7, James 1:17). I believe God would not make this arrangement in the same way we would not allow a gangster to work over our children to teach them lesson (Matt 7:9-11). And Jesus did not work against the Father by deliverance from what the devil had done. By understanding that God is good and the bible does not contradict itself, we can investigate the story a little further.

Job lived to be close to 200 years old. Before his last 140 years of a more successful life (Job 42:16) his actions were dictated by a spirit of fear (Job 3:25). What he believed manifested into works (Eph 2:6). His sons would have the other siblings in the house to drink wine (Job 1:13) and Job would sacrifice burnt offerings for them (Job 1:5).

If we look at this story from a supernatural point of view with Spiritual sense, the story differs from an old tale that is different from what many were taught. Surely when God asks questions to any being, it is not because He doesn’t know the answer. When God asks Satan; “Where do you come from?” (Job 1:7) It was not because the devil could hide from God, but that the information would be told to the ‘sons of God’ or angels, and revealed to us, the present day sons of God (1 Kings 22:19-22, John 1:12). When God asks him; “Have you considered Job?” It was not because God didn’t know, but that the next plan of attack would be revealed (Luke 12:2-3, John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8). When God said; “Behold, all that he has is in your power” It was not a new development. He was already subject to the enemy by his association with fear, works and confession. God already knew this and was talking from His omniscience. After Job gave an inapplicable sermon; ‘The Lord gives and the Lord takes away’ he appeared to have dug himself in a bigger hole (Eccl 10:8).

The devil tried to act as if he was God and predict what would happen under certain circumstances (Job 1:11, 2:5), knowing his works were invisible to Job which would leave him accusing God for the recent events. Although the enemy tried to destroy him and claimed that Job would curse God, he would not prevail (Job 1:22, 22:10). The trials of our faith are precious, but God doesn’t like us falling into the devices of the enemy (Eph 6:11). Although there are unfavorable circumstances that happen to people in life, our mind should be renewed by knowing Christ has defeated all the power of the enemy (Matt 28:18, Col 2:15). In addition, when we live in fear, we make ourselves a target for the enemy to shoot at (Eph 6:16).

When we receive a spirit of fear, or consider his words, we forget where our power switch is (1 Tim 1:7, Ps 103:2, Prov 3:5, 6). When we meditate on a bad future, and it is confirmed by our words and actions, we can allow fear to give gateways to spirits of worry, depression and anxiety. As it is said; ‘Without faith, it is impossible to please God’ (Heb 11:6), without fear, worry or doubt, it is impossible to please the devil. Because God made this world subject to men (Heb 2:8), it is up to us, as well as Job, to live by the Word or by fear (Heb 2:15).

Job was perfect in he did right with all he knew. Even though he waited on the Lord to direct his path, he could not read the first chapters of the story as we can, and see that the enemy had done this without God’s permission (2 Cor 2:11). He unknowingly blames God for being responsible of what happened (Job 9:17, 22). The Lord reveals to him the truth (Job 35:16, 38:2) and he accepts it (Job 42:3). Even though his natural father did not come and see about him (Job 15:10), his heavenly Father did.

If we believe that God is an accomplice, or allows the enemy to get permission to do whatever he wants, we will not have faith or confidence to pray effectively. We would accept what the devil has done, thinking that God is in control of everything and not use the power that God has given us. When the truth is revealed to us, our prayer life changes; God gives us a hedge and continues to work in our lives (Job 42:10/Prov 4:23). God’s ultimate plan is to take the ‘training wheels’ off and release us with the faith He instilled in us and ride in victory (Rev 19:7)