“Satan replied to the Lord, ‘Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!’” v. 9-11
Satan attacked Job’s motive, saying that Job was blameless and had integrity only because he had no reason to turn against God. Ever since he had started following God, everything had gone well for Job. Satan wanted to prove that Job worshiped God, not out of love, but because God had given him so much.

Satan accurately analyzed why many people trust God. They are fair weather believers, following God only when everything is going well or for what they can get. Adversity destroys this superficial faith. But adversity strengthens real faith by causing believers to dig their roots deeper into God in order to withstand the storms. How deep does my faith go? How deep does your faith go? Put the roots of your faith deep into Gods Truth so that you can withstand any storm that may come your way.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. ‘Where have you come from?’ the Lord asked Satan.
Satan answered the Lord, ‘I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.’” v. 6-7
Satan, originally an angel of God, had become corrupt through his own pride. He has been evil since rebellion against God (1 John 3:8). Satan considers God as his enemy. He tries to hinder God’s work in people, but he is limited by God’s power and can do only what he has been permitted. Satan is our enemy because he actively looks for people to attack with temptation and because he wants to make people hate God. He does this through lies and deception. Job, a blameless and upright man who had been greatly blessed, was a perfect target for Satan. Any person who is committed to God should expect Satan’s attacks. Satan, who hates God, also hates God’s people.

From this conversation we can learn a great deal about Satan.
1.) He is accountable to God.
2.) Satan can only be at 1 place at a time.
3.) Satan cannot see into our minds our see the future.
4.) Because Satan can do nothing without God’s permission, God’s people can overcome his attacks through God’s power.
5.) God put limitations on what Satan can do.

Knowing this should change our perspective about how we deal with everyday life. As we remain close to God, expect Satan to try to deceive and tempt us. But take courage God is greater than Satan.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.” v. 1-3

“Then the Lord asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.’” v. 8
Job was a model of trust and obedience to God, yet God permitted Satan to attack him in an especially harsh manner. Although God loves us, believing and obeying him do not shelter us from life’s calamities. Setback, tragedies, illness and sorrows strike Christians as well as Non-Christians alike. But in our test and trials God expects us to express our faith to the world.

When trouble hits how do you respond? Do you ask God, “Why Me????” or do you say, “Use me”? There is so we can learn from Jobs leadership, Integrity, and Faithfulness.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, placed him on the king’s own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’ Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated.” v. 6:11-12

What a turn of events. Haman who despised Mordecai and plotting to kill him now had to escort him through the city shouting, “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor.” I am sure when the king asked Haman, “What should be done to honor someone who truly pleases me?” his first thought was what can I get. Obviously thinking he was going to be the one honored. Sadly, Hamons pride, arrogance, and pursuit of popularity was his downfall.

Our initial response to the story about Haman is to say he got what he deserved. But the Bible leads us to ask deeper questions like:

1.) How much of Haman is in me?
2.) Do I desire to control others?
3.) Am I threatened when others don’t appreciate me as I think they should?
4.) Do I want revenge when my pride is attacked?

Confess these attitudes to God, and ask Him to replace them with an attitude of forgiveness, and the ability to be humble. Otherwise, Gods justice will settle the matter.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible!