Lesson 2: Become aware of the invisible causes of suffering (Job 1:6-12).

Prayer

Reading: Job 1:6-12.

Meditation

What have you suffered in your life? Sickness? Injury? Family grief? Physical or spiritual harm at the hands of another person? We tend to think about these injuries in two basic ways. On the one hand we may think of them in terms of bodily harm (e.g. you carry a back injury). On the other hand, we may think about them in terms of human agency (e.g. someone said something very hurtful to you, or abused you in some way). What we don’t tend to give much thought to at all is that there is a powerful connection between the sufferings of your life and the unseen spiritual realm around you (and within you).

As the narrative of Job continues, having met Job in verses one through five, a second scene begins to unfold in verses six through twelve, and the scene at this point completely changes. We’re no longer in the land of Uz meeting with Job, we’re in a whole different world. We’re in the heavenly throne room of God himself. There is clearly a powerful connection between our suffering and the unseen realm. This passage lays out a series of insights into the nature of that connection. Let’s explore those connections.

First, there is the fact of the connection itself. The spiritual realm certainly does effect our suffering. The events that unfold in these verses completely determine the direction of the whole Book of Job. If God had told Satan that Job was untouchable, none of the suffering would have happened. If Satan didn’t have such hatred, none of the suffering would have happened. Job’s suffering had a direct cause and effect relationship to the actions of both God and Satan. So may yours.

Secondly, Satan targets Christians for suffering. Both the churches of Smyrna and Pergamum in Revelation 2 supply New Covenant case studies of the fact of Satanic persecution, and the suffering it entails. Job is a clear example of this as well. Job looses his house, property, family members, all at the hands of one key, demonic mover behind the calamity: Satan. You had better believe that Satan and the fallen angels are constantly militating against the saints – including you. Absolutely that is true. The forces of darkness are militating against your family, your local church, your pastor, and your elders. C.S.Lewis’ book “The Screwtape Letters” is an imaginative but insightful meditation on this theme – well worth reading.

Countering this, consider thirdly that: Satan’s reach us under control. Satan is clearly powerful, he can cause natural disasters for example, and he can influence and control the actions of men, but he too is subject to God. He is an ancient, supernatural, malevolent being many times the superior of us in power, intelligence, and craftiness. But lest you be discouraged by your own weakness in comparison to Satan, remember this also: Satan is not the only spiritual power that exists, and he is certainly not the most powerful. It is very clear in this scene of the heavenly courtroom: God is calling the shots. Satan is subject to God. This is not an exchange between equals. So, yes, Satan has the capacity to effect suffering in the life of believers, but he is a pit bull terrier dog on a leash, so to speak. He can go no further than God gives him leave.

In addition to this, and the New Testament makes this very clear, since calvary, since Christ’s death and resurrection, Satan’s power has been diminished even further. He has been cast down! He has received a deadly, skull-shattering blow at the cross. In that sense, Satan has less power over us today than what he did in Job’s day. Give thanks for that. And yet remember – he is powerful, and he is full of deadly malice.

Here is a fourth observation: God proves the faith of his servants. Job’s suffering in chapter one is not discipline for his sin. On the contrary, Job is presented as entirely innocent. Satan has a pernicious part to play in your suffering, but know this: God’s sovereign decree will always be the ultimate factor determin