"Hope in Jehovah" - SATAN TRIED TO MAKE JOB LOSE HOPE

 Satan wanted to Job to believe that he was suffering because he had lost Jehovah's approval.  For instance, Satan used a strong wind to bring down the house where all ten of his chilren had been enjoying a meal together. (Job 1:18. 19) He also caused fire to fall down from heaven and destroy not only Job's flocks  but also the servants who were caring for them.  (Job 1:16) Thee wind and fire obviously came from a supernatural source; hence Job concluded that Jehovah God must have been that Source.  And as a result, Job believe that he had somehow upset Jehovah.  Even so, Job refused to curse his heavenly Father. Job acknowledged  that over the years he had received many good things from Jehovah.   He therefore reasoned that if he was happy to accept the good, he should also be willing to accept the bad. So he said:  "Let the name of Jehovah continue to be praised." (Job 1:20, 21; 2:10) Up to that point, Job had managed to deal with the severe financial, emotional, and physical challenges. But Satan was not finished with him.

Satan used one more tactic on Job; he incited three false friends to chip away at Job's sense of self-worth.  These men claimed that Job's suffering proved that he was guilt of varous wrongdoings.  (Job 22:5-9) (Note: That Satan also had Job break out in painful boils all over his body.)  They also tried to convince him that even if he was not an evildoer, any efforts he made to please God were of no value at all. (Job 4:18; 22:2, 3; 25:4)  In effect, they were tryiing to make Job doubt that God loved him, that He would look after him, and that there was value in serving Him.  Their words could have made Job feel as if his situation were hopeless.

Imagine the scene.  Sitting among the ashes, Job is in constant pain.  (Job 2:8)  His companions relentlessly attack his character and attempt to destroy his reputation. His trials weigh on him like heavey stones, while his gried over the loss of his children claws at his heart.  At first, Job is silent.  (Job 2:13-3:1)  If Job's companions interpret his silence as a sign that Job  is going to turn his back on his Creatore, they are sorely mistaken. At one point, Job -possibly raising his head and looking directly at his false friends-says: "Until I die, I will not renounce by integrity!" (Job 27:5)  What helped Job to be so courageous and strong despite all his suffering? Even when he was at his lowest point, he never lost hope that his loving God would eventually bring him relief.  He knew even if he died,  Jehovah would resurrect him. - JOB 14:13-15.

Next time: "Hope in Jehovah" - HOW CAN WE IMITATE JOB?

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