Gentle Reader,
The 4th thing we should know about our enemy is most important. That is from Satan’s own words in the prologue is that this evil one is neither omnipresent nor omniscient. Many like to think that like flip Wilson "the Devil made me do it." That Satan is everywhere but read again those first verses in Chapter One Satan is limited by time and space. [see my entry on time and the theory of everything]. He may move with lightening like speed. But none the less he is a created being and therefore a local being. He can only be at one place at a time. Many Christians have a mistaken belief that Satan is hovering about them in a shadowy sort of way, but they are wrong.
Nor must we think that Satan is omniscient - as many seem to think. While God can see into our minds Satan cannot! Here is comfort for the saints. Our thought can be private between us and God. Satan can only influence but never force. He can however take over a human mind IF we would allow his access. But he cannot control especially a child of the most High God. As God has put a seal on those who are his.
5th We note that Satan can do nothing without Divine permission ! His machinations are under the perpetual surveillance of the Almighty. He is free to rage and be as restless as one can be tied to a long cord free but bound! (Job 38:11) "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further:" It is because Satan can do nothing without permission that God is able again and again to rule and overrule Satan’s doings to the ultimate good of those he would ruin. As Paul says in the Book of Romans, " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 )
6th And let us be to learn this Gentle Reader, in every such permission thee is a definite limitation. The first in Job is in Chapter 1 verse 12 "And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand".... Then when Job sublimely survived the test, there is a further permission, but also a further limitation, " But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
And the LORD said unto Satan, "Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life." (Job 2:5-6). Here is again comfort for the saint. Satan has absolutely no power against the Saint beyond what God allows. Remember Dear child of God. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph. 6:12). Nothing can touch you except what God in His infinite knowledge wills. But why? You may ask would God allow something tragic to happen? See 1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. The concept of temptation is the same as one would stretch a rubber band to the breaking point. Not for God pleasure but that you may learn what sort sterner stuff you are made of. For unless you are spiritually stretched you will never grow into the perfection that god sees when He made you.
Finally let us learn afresh that from this prologue that God’s eyes are ever on his own people and especially so in times of trial such as what you are going through right Gentle Reader! God’s question to Satan was "hast thou set thine heart against my servant Job...?" The very question indicates that God also had Job in His thoughts. Note: How God calls Job by name as He knows Job He knows all of His Children. So it is will all God’s Jobs.
Never fear Gentle Reader, God is just a whisper away.
Love, Denis
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