Victory Through Loss

“Then Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? … But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.’” (Job 1:9-11)

Satan wasn’t after Job’s possessions and posterity. This was a means to an end. More than anything, he wanted to steal Job’s fear of the Lord. He wagered that Job only feared God because God gave him a comfortable life (Job 1:9). 

As soon as the Giver took back his gifts, the devil suggested, Job would curse his maker (Job 1:10-11).

But Satan was wrong, and Job won the first round. 

“And [Job] said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

After he lost his cattle and servants and children, Job continued in poverty the habits of praise he had practiced in prosperity.

He blessed the Lord. God was good when he gave, and God was still good when he took away.

Satan took everything from Job, but he couldn’t take his fear of the Lord. Job lost almost everything, but he held onto his integrity (Job 2:3). He proved that his worship wasn’t connected to his wealth. All along, he had been praising God because God himself was precious to his soul.

Faith is not tested in the receiving of gifts. It is tested in the removal. What happens to your soul when what you thought was essential is stolen away?

Did you praise God for the blessing? Continue your praise in the bruising. 

Did you lift your hands in the glory days? Lift your hands in the season of grief.

Did you worship when your hands were full? Keep worshipping when God is all you have.

Despite Satan’s fiercest attempts, Jesus honored God through his final breath. Even when he opened his hands to the nails, he held onto his praise. And when, at last, he had to give up his spirit, he released it into the hands of the “Father” he loved (Luke 23:46).

Fear God and bless his name, even when he takes away, and you will have a possession that will never be taken: the victory of your faith (1 John 5:4).