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.
