Setting Limits

I've read the story of Job in the Bible many times. Each time, I find something different. Something this time around gave me alittle hope.

You know the story of Job. He was a very wealthy man and God allowed Satan to test him, take away his possessions, family and everything he had. Job's friends came to the rescue and told Job what all he was doing wrong; that HE somehow had caused all of this trouble to come upon himself. Meantime, Satan was trying to break Job's spirit and faith in God. In Job 1:9-11, Satan said to God "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." Satan was trying to prove to God that Job's faith would falter.

God allowed Job to be tested to prove he would be faithful. But Satan was trying to prove otherwise; that Job's profession of faith in God was a big fluke.

But this is the best part. In Job 1:12 and Job 2:6, God gave Satan specific limits. God told Satan, "the man himself do not lay a finger on him" and "you must spare Job's life". Isn't it good to know that through every trial, challenge and heart ache we go through that God has set a limit on the amount of testing? God wants to refine us, make us pure, and increase our faith in Him--not destroy us.

Knowing God has already set that limit should give us great peace.