Doth Job Fear God for Nought?

Job 1:9 – “Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?”

Job was “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1). When the Lord was speaking to Satan about Job, the devil answered God by saying, “Doth Job fear God for nought?” Satan then said that God had made a hedge of protection around Job and all that he had. The devil told God that if He would remove that protection and let some of Job’s blessings be taken, that “he will curse thee to thy face” (Job 1:11). Of course, God did remove that hedge, and Job was tested unlike anyone that we have ever known. His children were lost, his possessions were taken, his health was gone, and his wife suggested that he curse God and die. Still, Job did not curse God. He maintained his integrity and refused to charge God foolishly. The answer to Satan was, “Yes, Job would fear God for nothing.”

Being a child of God is a wonderful life with many benefits. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, and He daily loads us with benefits. There is no question that God does put a protective hedge about His children. Of course, that does not imply that trouble can never come our way. What it does mean is that Satan cannot attack us at will. He has to get God’s permission to touch us.

We are a blessed people. But the question remains, would we fear God and love God, even if there were no blessings or benefits? What if great trouble comes to our world? What if things don’t turn out the way we think they should? What if we do have to deal with disease or disappointment? Will it change our view of God? Will we continue to serve Him, love Him, and fear Him? Satan wants to do all that he possibly can to keep us from loyally loving God. He tempts God’s people by accusing Him to us. The devil would like to convince us that God is not good and that He cannot be trusted.

But God wants to prove to Satan and the world we live in that God’s people are genuine. Though testing and trials will come, we know that even in those difficulties, God is absolutely wonderful and worthy of our undying devotion and allegiance. Our love for the Savior, and our faithfulness to His cause are to be steadfast and unmovable.