PATROLLING THE EARTH: Devotion for Wednesday September 14, 2016

PATROLLING THE EARTH: Devotion for Wednesday September 14, 2016

Text: Job 1:6 – 7               Memory verse: Job 1: 7

Originally, Satan was an angel of God who became corrupt through his own greed and pride. He wanted the position of his creator and that prompted him to rebel against God. Unfortunately for him and his supporters, they were defeated and chased out of heaven. He was casted out of heaven into the earth and bible says that the heavens should rejoice while woe is for the inhabitants of the earth because Satan has been cast down into the earth (Rev. 12:12).

One would wonder why such thing should be said. But the fact is that Satan is accuser and tormenter of those who obey and worship God. He moves about, roaring like a lion, looking for whom to devour. He wants to gain more followers. He has been evil since his rebellion against God (1 John 3:8). Satan considers God as his enemy and tries to hinder God’s work in people, but he is limited by God’s power, and can only do what he is permitted (Lk. 22:31, 32; 1 Tim 1:19, 20; 2 Tim. 2:23–26).

Satan is called the enemy because he actively and constantly looks for people to attack through temptation (1 Pet. 5:8, 9). Again, because he had lost out in heaven, he wants to make people hate God by discrediting Him. He does this through lies and deception (Gen. 3:1-6). It is for this reason; he patrols the earth looking for people who are vulnerable. Job, a blameless and upright man who had been greatly blessed, was a perfect target for Satan. Thus God questioned Satan about Job and of course he had an answer.

There were other heavenly councils held outside this one mentioned in the book of Job. In such council, God and the angels plan their activities on earth and some times, the angels were required to give account of themselves (1 Kings 22:19-23). God as the Creator of all angels, both of those who serve Him and of those who rebelled, has complete power and authority over them. He can overrule their actions. Any person who is committed to God should expect Satan’s attacks. If he can rebel against God and tempt Him, who are we that He cannot attack? He hates God and also hates Christians. Job 1:7 describes the nature of Satan, which is always seeking his prey. Therefore we should apply the wisdom Peter shared with us in 1 Peter 5:8.

Food for Thought: 1 Peter 5:8

Prayer: Lord, make me sober and vigilant because my adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking those to devour me.