The Unwanted Guest

Job 1:1-12

Where have you come from? (ver 7) This is the question God asked satan when the Heavenly court was open. Satan, the master of disquise slipped in where there was a crack, a breech if you will. Let's do a little history.

The name satan is derived from the Hebrew and means to obstruct or oppose. satan was an angel who became self-centered, selfish and wanted control; he was envious and jealous of God's power and set up plans to bring the other angels out of alignment with God and to follow him. In his plan, satan began recruiting the other angels and invited them to turn from God's plan and jump on his train. Some of the angel liked what satan was talking about and turned from God, these are satan's imps. Be careful who you let speak into your life.

Now let's look at satans attempts to turn us humans from God's plan for our life. If you remember in Genesis 2 Adam had lived with God for some time before Eve came along and satan knew that Adam would not disobey God so he sought Eve. While the story of the fall shows us satans craftiness and the use of his limited power in opposition to God, God still provided for Adam and Eve after the fall. Yes there were consequences to pay for disobedience but God still provided for their needs, they just had to work. (nothing can separate us from the love of God-Romans 8:38-39)

There were many more accounts where satan tried to turn man from God, but now here we are, at Job's story and again we see satan trying his hand at obstruction. Satan's ability to come in front of God along with the heavenly council (the angels) was not by chance. Remember God knows all and sees all; He gives and He takes away. And while He asked satan the question, where have you come from, He already knew. (Nothing you will go through will get passed God). We know from Job 1 that Job was an upright man who had everything going for him (riches, social standing and strong family ties). However, nothing that he had could keep him from the test (without a test there is no testimony). We have to be careful that the things we have do not stand in the way of the Lord's place in our lives. Job, even after losing it all, did not throw in the towel, he praised God. Satan's job is to tempt and by the mere definition of his name he tries to obstruct us from what God has for us. he is the opposing party.

Have you ever had someone stop by your house without an invitation? You know, the person who does not think that they need to let you know they are coming and just shows up. Most often those people come at inconvienent times and interrupts our plans. That is how satan is. He comes just when we are making the most progress; when we are closer and closer to the Lord; when our path seems clear and without our knowledge he plants a negative reminder of our past to keep us from moving any closer to God. When someone comes unannounced you have the ability to tell them that its not a good time and not let them in and the same is true with satan. He has no power unless you give it to him. You can stop any attacks he sends your way by using the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit living in you.

Remember when satan tempted Jesus? Satan tried to turn Jesus from His Divine plan and he (satan) even tried to use the Word of God, but we know that Jesus did not fall. Instead, Jesus used the tools His Father had given him, the truth in the Word. Satan will confront you with your past but you can confront him with the truth, stand on the Word and he will leave (James 4:7). He's an unwanted guest and it's his time to leave!