G.M. Sunshine Devotionals

Job 2:3-9 NLT “Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.” 4 Satan replied to the LORD, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. 5 But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!” 6 “All right, do with him as you please,” the LORD said to Satan. “But spare his life.” 7 So Satan left the LORD’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot. 8 Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

So what about when Satan attacks your possessions and the loss is so tremendous, but even that in itself was not enough to tear you down!

The bible says in Revelation 2:23 “I am He who searches the minds and hearts.” Only God can search, but Satan has to sift to try to get us to reveal what’s in our minds and hearts! Remember that Satan, the accuser, has something to try to prove to God. He is trying to reveal your thoughts and intentions (mind and heart) as one who would reject God in the face of unmentionable circumstances.

Have you ever had a skin sore(s) and refused to aggressively tear into it with your nails, but rather chose to use something as a tool that you can decently satisfy the itch without causing much more damage to it, even though it itched so badly? As a child, given an issue such as chicken pox, or several mosquito bites, you wouldn’t think twice of how much worse you can make it. But as a matured adult, maintaining strength and self-discipline by still attempting to honor the body that God gave you, even though the urges and emotions associated with the pain is so strong, is highly admirable.

The question is, do you love yourself and thereby honor God, or do you love God and thereby honor yourself?

If Satan didn’t know that you were not going to turn away from God, even if promised good health and strength as a bargaining tool, this is the test that would prove it to him.

It is after this point that many experience great miracles, that no one can take the credit for but God. These are the miracles where doctors, nurses, family members, friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and even strangers may see God for the first time, through what was undeniably done for you. The times where you felt alone and unrelatable, even when you had visitors in the room. The times when your friends and family didn’t have the words to say to comfort you in your pain and anguish. Even when they tried to make sense of the nightmare or reasons why you would go through something so horrid. Times when they began to think that you had to have committed some great sin, to be smitten this way. All to have it overcome by with the undeniable miracle working hand of God.

God will never allow Satan to wipe away, what he cannot replace; and there is nothing he can’t do, because he is a limitless God.

Many skip over that the Lord has already told Satan that your life will be spared. It is also important to remember that God is a restorer. But there are 2 steps that are prerequisites to restoration.

Step 1 is repenting – Asking for forgiveness about the things you may have said and done during the time that you were overcome by your emotions in your pain, hurt, and grief. Many times we forget that we said some stuff and did some stuff, or justified it by our mourning season. But we should not forget that even while we were allowed to snap and throw a tantrum, say some mean things, yell, scream, push others away, and the list goes on; the cost of not repenting is – not being restored. Tell me, what good is sifted flour if we accidentally through out the good stuff instead of the lumps. “Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. 4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ 5 I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. 6 I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Job 42:1-6 NLT

Step 2 is to pray for those who have wronged you. Will you forgive those who inaccurately labeled you, falsely diagnosed you, and those blamed you for your situation? Will you pray for them, earnestly? Remember that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9 ESV). “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matt. 5:44 ESV); “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” (Rom. 12:17 ESV).

The Lord said, “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. 10 When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!“ Job 42:8-10 NLT

“Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain; 32but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].” Luke 22:31-32 AMP

The sifting will separate and prepare you for your double portion. Restoration is yours, don’t let it slip away!

G.M.