Have You Considered My Servant?

There are two interesting conversations in the Bible between God and Satan in the beginning chapters of the Book of Job. The scene was apparently in the spiritual realm where the “sons of God” (most likely angels) came before God. Satan, a rebellious castaway angel, appeared in the same gathering. God begins the conversation with Satan about Job, “Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8 NKJV)?

I am not going to tell the whole story about Job’s trials, temptations, and then his eventual two-fold restoration. Today, I am more interested in God’s all-knowing perspective about Job.

Satan did not begin the conversation about Job. God asked a straightforward question to Satan, knowing Satan’s evil heart as his very name “Satan” means adversary. God was basically boasting about Job, saying, “there is none like him on the earth.”

Satan countered God’s knowledge about Job excusing his integrity only because God had been protecting him. God temporarily pulled back the protection first over what he had. When Job proved faithful during the first round of attacks, another conversation with God and Satan resulted in God pulling back his shield over Job’s body only protecting his life. Job proved faithful even under this harsh onslaught on his health.

Back to the original question: “Have you considered My servant Job?” Can you imagine God saying that about you or me? I’m not volunteering for a remake of Job’s story, but I want God to have that type of attitude of me. I am afraid I have not reached that mark. I try to keep my past sins drowned in the blood of Jesus, however, when my thoughts travel to the land of “what could have been” there are many regrets.

You may be in the same boat as me. There are many times I know that I have disappointed God at the very least and on the far side of that scale made Him angry. I have repented many times, and the need still arises. I am trying.

Today, as I was contemplating Job’s life, I did not desire his test, but I wanted so much for God to be pleased enough with me that He might say, “Have you considered My servant?” I know it is a leap. Just a hopeful target to focus my eyes on. Maybe for you also. Thank God for the salvation in Christ Jesus where mercy and grace are poured out on the value of His blood.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt

Round Two:
(1)  Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
(2)  And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."
(3)  Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause."
(4)  So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.
(5)  But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"
(6)  And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life."
(Job 2:1-6 NKJV)