THE POWER OF SATAN......

And the LORD said to satan, “Behold, all that (Job) has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So satan went out from the presence of the LORD. ~ Job 1:12

"I (God) form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." ~ Isaiah 45:7

Satan afflicts believers, but how much power does he really have? In 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul said a messenger of Satan was given him to afflict him. Satan was behind Jobs’ suffering. The enemy can afflict us physically. He tempts us to sin. But his greatest weapons are his fiery darts – his lies about God that he launches against our faith. We are in a serious conflict with the powers of darkness. Sometimes I hear Christians talk as if satan were all-powerful.....The devil has really been having a field day in my life lately.....or.....satan’s really been kicking me around this week.

In reality, we find in the Scriptures that satan's powers are actually very limited. He’s powerful, but not all-powerful. He is the "god" of this world. Unbelievers are significantly under his power, though they don’t realize it. He has blinded their eyes. But once Jesus opens our eyes to His glory and saves us, we come under His ownership. We’re no longer slaves of satan. We’re new creations in Christ and share His victory over the enemy that He won on the cross.

When satan afflicts believers he must get permission to do so, even as he did with Job. God determined the parameters of what satan could do to Job. God also showed His faith in Job when He offered Job to satan. Job certainly made his feelings known to God about the hardships and trials he had been subjected to. We often reel backwards and ask, "Why me?". God made the final point that we can question and doubt God at times, but we cannot lean on our own understanding or reasoning. God is sovereign and all powerful and infinite and He works in the lives of believers because He is God! He doesn't have to explain Himself.

Each time satan requested, God said you may do this and this but not this. He could only do what God allowed. Lots of people seem to think the devil is the equal and opposite of God, like the dark side of The Force. But satan is a created being. God is infinite. Satan is less than a speck compared to the Infinite One. If anything, satan might be compared to Michael the Archangel, another created being.

God is infinitely exalted over His creation. Satan is a tool of God, and when God allows him to afflict a believer it’s for God’s glorious purposes…..to make that believer rely on Christ, become like Christ and display the power of Christ in him.

Next time you are up against a situation that feels overwhelming, reflect back on this and think, "Father, you have faith in my faith! You have grown me into a believer who can stand up against this because You've trained me to rely on You." Then, do just that, rely on Him.

Remember you have an enemy, but fix your gaze on Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Amen! †