1. Satan is like a stealth bomber on a mission to seek and to destroy.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Job 1:8-12 "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." 12 And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
The story of Job and Satan's visit to God's presence gives us a window into what could be happening to any of us. Job chapters 1 and 2 remind us that Satan has a direct involvement in human suffering. In Job chapter 1, we learn of Satan's attack on Job's family.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Some reasons for suffering...
• Some suffer because of the actions of other people.
• Some suffer just because...
• Some suffer due to the consequences of personal choices.
• Some suffer under the direct assault of Satan.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
For Job, all of his suffering occurred because he was a target of Satan. Interestingly, Satan had influence or control over different forces in order to carry out his means of assault...
2. Satan attacks the unsuspected with unwitting accomplices.
Job 1:13-15 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
Satan's accomplices may or may not be aware of their involvement in his schemes.
Satan used evil men to bring destruction.
3. Sometimes the work of Satan is incorrectly attributed to God.
Satan used a natural disaster to destroy sheep and servants.
Job 1:16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
4. Satan's attacks range from inconspicuous to brutally violent.
Satan used a group of hostiles to destroy the rest of Job's livestock and servants.
Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
5. Be aware: Pain and sorrow are ultimately the work of Satan in the world.
Satan used another natural disaster which killed Job's sons and daughters.
Job 1:18-19 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
