Why Serve God?

MEMORY SELECTION: “With Him is wisdom and strength, He hath counsel and understanding.” —Job 12:13

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Job 1:1-3, 8-11; 2:4-6, 9, 10

THOSE who desire to serve God must do so with understanding. Our memory selection acknowledges the omnipotent power of God, who possesses all wisdom and strength. And surely those who give thoughtful and prayerful consideration to his Word will be guided by its counsel and led into paths of truth and understanding.

We learn that Job was a man of learning and influence. He was also a man who possessed a profound sense of reverence for his Creator and one who was prepared to defend the principles of truth and righteousness. Because of Job’s devotion to these principles, God allowed Satan, the great Adversary, to test his loyalty.

“And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and eschewed evil?” (1:8) Satan was rebellious and insinuated to God that Job’s devotion and loyalty were based upon self-interest and that if he were placed in different circumstances he would turn against him.

Satan said (vss. 9-11): “Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

God’s answer to Satan’s accusations is an important one, for it establishes certain limits to Satan’s power and influence. The scriptural account continues (vs. 12): “And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he bath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” After Satan had been permitted to bring misfortune to Job, he again appeared before God to insist that Job should be further tested. On this occasion Satan said (2:5), “But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.” God answered, “Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.” (vs. 6) It was at this point in Job’s experiences that he was smitten with boils—but his life was spared.

It is necessary in this study to consider the nature of trials and testings. It is also important not to underestimate the power and evil influence of Satan, because we are admonished by the Apostle Peter (I Pet. 5:8), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your Adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” We would first establish the fact that temptation and evil influences do not come from God. Scriptural support for this thought is recorded by James, who says (James 1:13): “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”

Satan is the great deceiver, who as “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (II Cor. 4:4) Satan’s power is extensive; and the Apostle Paul, in a statement concerning our Lord’s experience and sacrificial death, says “that through death He might destroy him that had the power [dominion] of death, that is, the Devil [Satan].”—Heb. 2:14

Satan is permitted to test the child of God. However, the Apostle Paul tells us (I Cor. 10:13): “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Trials and testings are a necessary part of the Christian’s growth. Those who desire to know God and to serve him must expect to learn obedience through discipline. Our Lord Jesus, “though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” (Heb. 5:8) And we know, of course, that the servant is not above his Master; i.e., the follower of Christ cannot expect to attain the promised blessings without first being polished and shaped and fitted for a place in that glorious kingdom.

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