Can God Brag on You? pt 2

I know the title may be hard to accept, but it is a concept that we would be wise to come to understand. God is the father of all, and like every proud parent, he relishes the ability to be able to brag on his children. Job chapter 1 creates a scene where God holds court, or a morning debrief with the sons of God (angels) where they report what they have observed on Earth. Satan has brought accusations against Job before God, and in essence challenged the faithfulness and love of one of God’s children. I think it is imperative that each person, especially believers, understand what happens when they are challenged/tested in life.

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
1 Peter 5:8 AMPC
https://bible.com/bible/8/1pe.5.8.AMPC

Satan is always observing and listening to us to identify a vulnerability or weakness that he feels that he can exploit to cause us to lose faith and betray God. If you remember in chapter 1, Job was said to daily offer a sacrifice for each of children, believing that they may offend God, and possibly not seek or receive forgiveness for it. While this may be commendable to some, what it really exposed was a fear, and a vulnerability that Satan believed that he could exploit to break Job AND prove God wrong. What Satan didn’t realize is that though Job loved his children and desired that they would walk faithfully before God, he in fact loved God more. This was evident in his response to the news that his children were dead, and his possessions were gone

And said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother's womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord!
Job 1:21 AMPC
https://bible.com/bible/8/job.1.21.AMPC

Job’s words in this verse are evidence of his love, faithfulness, and devotion to God in that he acknowledged the source of his blessings AND hope. What God knew about Job was that Job loved God, and before the children, possessions, and wife, Job had a real relationship with God. This relationship that was cultivated in private, developed over time that involved lack and plenty, was strong enough to withstand disaster, disappointment, AND lost. God knew the heart of Job, like he knows our hearts, but oftentimes we are unaware of our actual love and commitment to God and others until that relationship is tested. God will allow or permit Satan to test us for two reasons:

1. To prove Satan wrong, and remind him of his defeat
2. To allow us the opportunity to prove our faith and love to God, as well as God to show his faithfulness and love to us

Reflection Time

Can God brag on you? Is your faith, love, and commitment to God real? What is the source or purpose of your faith, and do you believe it can withstand testing and tribulation? If you have been through a tough trial and test, how did you handle it? In retrospect what would you have done different spiritually, and what are you doing now to prepare yourself for the next test?