The Adversary

Readings:
Job 1:6-22
Psalm 17:1-3,6-7
Luke 9:46-50

We are sent by God to do mission to the ends of the earth. But there is one who opposes God and so does his global mission as well. He is Satan. He is continually “roaming the earth and patrolling it.” (Jb 1:7b). Notice that Satan did not say he was trying to get people to himself (which of course he does), but that he is patrolling the world. The reality is that the whole world is under his dominion.[1] Satan is vigilant in trying to preserve his dominion.[2]

So one question is this: why does God allow this? God is all-powerful, so why does He cede some of that power to His adversary? “The Lord said to the satan, ‘Very well, all that he has is in your power” (Jb 1:12a). We often ask the same question: Lord, why do you allow this or that? Why do you allow the enemy to have influence and power over us? Why do you allow bad things to happen to us? So what happened to Job is instructional for us.

One reason is for God to see why we look to Him. What is our motivation? Is it because of the good things we receive from Him, as Satan claimed was the case with Job (Jb 1:9-10)? What if God allows these to be taken away, as with Job? Job lost everything, starting with all his possessions and all his children (Jb 1:14-19).[3] If even a much lesser loss happened to us, would we act in the way Satan told God that Job would? “But now put forth your hand and touch all that he has, and surely he will curse you to your face.” (Jb 1:11). Or would we act as Job did, as he continued to worship God, to bless the name of God, and to not sin or charge God with wrong (Jb 1:20-22)?

Here is a second aspect. Why does it seem that the more we are right with God, the more we suffer and are afflicted? Well, this is because Satan assaults everyone, but especially those who are growing in holiness and who come against his dominion.[4]Satan could not stand Job, especially as God told him to his face, “Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.” (Jb 1:8). The last thing Satan would want in his earthly dominion is that there is such a person as Job. But again, why does God not protect His holy ones from Satan? God does protect us, but His protection does not mean not allowing suffering and pain into our lives, which ultimately should bring us to greater holiness. But the assaults that God allows are still subject to His control. So God told Satan that Job would be placed in his power, but “only do not lay a hand on him.” (Jb 1:12b).

Then thirdly, God wants us to never lose our focus on Him. When Job was very prosperous and had a wonderful family life, he looked to and acknowledged God. As Satan said of him, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?” (Jb 1:9). This is not like many Christians today, who pray a lot when they have troubles, but who quickly forget God when things are going well in their life. Not so with Job. When Job lost everything, he still looked to and acknowledged God. “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Jb 1:21b).

Finally, part of not losing our focus on God is to be thankful always for His goodness, again, even in the midst of adversity, and to acknowledge that all good things come from God. “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back there.” (Jb 1:21a). Many Christians today are so focused on earthly things, including the good things of possessions and family. Many of them end up serving mammon and not God.

So we are sent on mission to the ends of the earth. As such, we assault Satan’s dominion and become engaged in spiritual war. We are engaged, he is enraged. We can easily fail in our mission. The aspects with regard to Job are all relevant and crucial for us to know and live out. But obviously there is so much more that we need to know and do. Here are some of them, as we respond to the call to be holy warriors.

First, we must be like Job. We must be able to stand blameless before God, even in the midst of affliction. “You have tested my heart, searched it in the night. You have tried me by fire, but find no malice in me.” (Ps 17:3).

Second, we must always turn to God, especially in affliction, but our prayer must be pure and innocent. “Hear, Lord, my plea for justice; pay heed to my cry. Listen to my prayer from lips without guile.” (Ps 17:1). We must always look to God’s justice and righteousness. We must not have our personal agenda, but only want what God wants.

Third, as holy warriors, we must be one united army and not fight among ourselves. One reason conflicts arise is because of pride, envy, competition, ambition within the body. Even with Jesus’ core group, “an argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest.” (Lk 9:46). What is the antidote? Be childlike in faith. “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me” (Lk 9:48a). Be the least among the brethren, especially those who are servant leaders. “For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” (Lk 9:48c).

Fourth, we must not only be not competitive among ourselves, but we must respect, support and be non-competitive with other Christian groups and ministries. God raises up many different groups, with their particular charisms and callings. They are our partners in God’s overall work. When John tried to prevent another exorcist who was not part of their company, Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” (Lk 9:50). It is unfortunate that there are so many divisions within our Church. This helps no one but Satan.

If there is perceived injustice being done to us within the community, yes we must address it and try to make things right, but in the end, we can accept personal injustice with patience, tolerance and meekness. We must ultimately trust in our God, and in God alone. He knows what is right and just. “From you let my vindication come; your eyes see what is right.” (Ps 17:2).

In our worldwide missionary thrust, we are in intense spiritual war. The adversary is Satan himself. While God allows him his dominion and his assault on God’s people, especially God’s holy warriors, He is still more powerful, and in fact is already victorious. Thus we turn to Him for His help and mercy. “I call upon you; answer me, O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my speech. Show your wonderful mercy, you who deliver with your right arm those who seek refuge from their foes.” (Ps 17:6-7).

God’s strong right arm brings the victory. Onward, holy warriors, to the ends of the earth!