Encouragement
"And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.'So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord." ~ Job 1:2
Here is the end of a conversation between God and Satan where God chooses to send Satan to trouble His servant Job.
God is not hesitant to command Satan against His own because of being bound by the nature of His goodness. As with Joseph concerning his brothers what Satan means for evil God means for good. (Genesis 50:20). The use of an instrument involves intention. The instrument of power is dependent on its user, be it darkness or light. What is a temptation in the hands of evil is a test from the holiest of hands. Since this Love is greatest it may use hate for the sake of Truth.
We should also recall that during the life of Jesus on earth He encountered people possessed by demons. Yet when He commanded the demons had no other choice but to obey. Even though they were fallen they were still angels with an apparently in-born compulsion to obey when God speaks. He did with these demons as the Father did with Satan about Job. God's command to the evil one limited him as to what he could do with God's servant.
God allows evil from the throne of His glory and power. From this throne He still works all things, to include evil, disease and death for good for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose. What helps us through these evil times is His inspiration for us to love Him and the calling to His purpose, that being the Gospel of Christ, being born again.
So then God is unabashed to use evil for the sake of good because of what He has also given us: His Word, His Spirit and His Son.
This triune God gives us Himself.
The One who neither sleeps nor slumbers keeps constant vigilance over what comes against us knowing He has either permitted it or directed it for the sake of His good.
So the coming evil we hear about is not unknown to the Lord. He watches with a tight reign on the affairs of this planet as we take guidance, council and comfort in those three things He has given us. It is our choice to use them wisely or not at all.
Here, I wish to recite some words of Christ:
"And the Lord said, 'Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, "My master is delaying his coming," and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." ~ Luke 12:42-48
You see that? God has given us much in His Word, Spirit and Son. He has given us Grace, that being the "much" that is given. Along with that is what is "required". We have a responsibility when we accepted His Grace.
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