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Note: This post was written as part of the Infertility Bible Study series. If you’d prefer to read it on the free downloadable ebook, click here.
A reading from Job 2:1-10, 17:1
2 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
6 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.
9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
[Job 2:1-10, NIV]
1 My spirit is broken.
[Job 17:1, NIV]
This was Job’s second test; not his first. In his first test, if you remember, Job’s oxen + donkeys were stolen, his sheep + servants were killed, his camels were taken, and all of his sons and daughters were killed. And then his second test happened: the one that afflicted his body.
When I read this story, I like to imagine Satan thinking to himself, “There’s no way Job will still follow God after this.” And I like to imagine God thinking, “I know Job; Job will always follow me.”
Do you ever think of your struggles like this?
Sometimes I like to imagine that Satan is fighting God for me: Saying that all of the blessings God has given me have made it easy for me to have faith in God. Saying that if he only afflicts me with something terrible, I will surely turn away and curse God.
But, like Job, we have to refuse to let Satan win.
Even in the midst of his suffering, the Bible very clearly points out that Job did not sin. He refused to let Satan win.
And yet, Job’s spirit was broken.
As month after month passes, sometimes I feel like my spirit is breaking. Life is not fair. I just want to give up, to not care if I ever have kids. But a broken spirit doesn’t mean I’ve let Satan win; a broken spirit is not a sin. My spirit can be broken, and I can still refuse to let Satan win — both at the same time, just like Job.
Let’s pick up Job’s story in Chapter 42, verse 12: “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.”
This week, refuse to let Satan win. Your spirit may be broken, but you will not curse the Lord. God has promised us eternal life, with more blessings than we can imagine.
Use Job’s story as a reminder:
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” [James 1:12, NIV]
Prayer: God, give me the strength and confidence to fight against Satan’s temptations, to refuse to let him win. Remind me that you have promised me eternal life, which can’t compare to my current sufferings. Amen.
Scripture to memorize: Romans 8:18: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Song for the way to work: Before the Morning by Josh Wilson
Suggested scripture readings for the week:
Job 1:1-22
Job 17:1-16
Job 42:1-17
James 1:1-18
Romans 8:1-39
Click to return to the Infertility Bible Study Series.
Hi, do you only have the one bible study for infertility or do you have more. I am bust eith the one and would like more if there is
I do just have the one infertility Bible study right now, but I also have a devotional focused on waiting. You can see it here if you’re interested: https://contentmentandchaos.com/two-weeks-of-waiting-devotional/. In addition, I have a page focused on infertile couples in the Bible here: https://contentmentandchaos.com/barren-biblical-infertility-stories-in-the-bible/
Thanks for supporting my blog and checking out my Bible studies! 🙂