What does God give after he takes away - by John Piper
What we really love and trust aren’t truly seen until we are tested by loss. This is essentially the point that Satan made when talking to God about Job. In that odd scene in the first chapter of Job, when Satan presented himself before God, God said to him, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8). Satan’s response was, Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face. (Job 1:9–11) Yeah, God, of course Job “fears” you when his life is full of blessings. But take away the blessings and his trust will turn to cursing. Note the irony here. In this manipulative moment, Satan inadvertently pointed out the core e...