If you’re going through a difficult time reading the book of Job might elevate your perspective. The first thing you’ll probably realize is things could always be worse! In addition to all the tragedy that befell Job, he had lousy friends too!

God allowed Satan to test Job. Although God never explains why, what we do know is Job remained faithful. Did he question God? Sure he did!

“Let the day of my birth be erased, and the night I was conceived. Let the day be turned to darkness” (Job 3:3-4). 

That’s an elegant way of saying: “God, why did you allow me to be born in the first place?”

God’s response to Job (and all of his friends) is a dramatic description of the mysteries of the universe we can’t comprehend:

“Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home to the east wind? Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning? Who makes the rain fall on barren land? Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and make the tender grass spring up” (Job 38: 24-27). 

That’s an elegant way of saying: “I created the world, I’m way smarter than you, and I’m ancient.”

There’s a lot of great life lessons we can take from the book of Job. Here are three of my favorites:

1. Satan is the big loser! God set him up when he showed up looking for someone to devour. “Have you noticed my servant Job? God tells his accuser. “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.”  “……..But reach out and take away everything he has,” replies the serpent, “and he will surely curse you to your face” (Job 1:8-11).

God foreknew Job would not curse Him. Are you a servant like that? It’s OK if you fail the test. I know I have. That’s what is so beautiful about forgiveness.

2. Job doesn’t know he’s being tested by Satan and neither do his friends. As far as we know, God never does reveal this in their lifetime. Imagine this; when difficulties, heart ache, and tragedy come knocking, it’s quite possible things are going down in the heavens we know nothing about, and we may never know on this side of heaven.

3. Finally, things got better for Job. In fact, it says that God blessed him more in the second half of his life than in the first. Almost everything in life is cyclical: sadness and joy; hard times and prosperity; peace and unrest; difficulty and ease.

If things got better for Job they can get better for you too. Satan’s number one goal is to snatch you away from God.

Don’t let the enemy rob you of Gods ultimate plan.