1st Corinthians 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.
This passage of scripture teaches us that God in His mercy has set predetermined limits on the activities of evil spirits, for were it not for this sacred truth, humanity would have long been wiped off the face of the earth, and this includes those who are faithful servants of sin. The Bible tells us that it is because of God's mercies why we are not consumed, and although many people may not know it, the interposition of God is often the cause why those who do not know or acknowledge God, are saved from death. God is greatly to be praised, much more than we currently do, for if He were to draw back the curtains, and reveal to us what is really taking place all around us, we will fall on our knees and never get up, because of imminent and existential threats to our existence. Let's read:
Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
If permitted, the devil can bring severe temptations our way so as to cause us to stumble, but God screens all of his temptations first, and then only permits those that He sees we can be victorious over, to come our way at specified times in our experience, for the sole purpose of character development, and even then, the power of The Holy Ghost is enlisted in our behalf, so that we can come forth more than conquerors. This is what took place with Job behind the scenes, before the enemy of souls was prevented from doing him any harm.
Job had never seen the multitude of angels encamped around him and his family, neither was he aware that the dumb animals under his care were also being intently watched over by the angel of The Lord, who encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivers them. As a matter fact, satan himself also acknowledged that there are restrictions to his liberties, for he had observed holy angels standing guard night and day around God's faithful servant. Hence the reason why he responded the way he did, when asked about Job's faithfulness. Let's read:
Job 1:8 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 escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 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. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Thus, it was only after God had given him permission, that satan was allowed to bring those severe trials and temptations against Job, and as the sacred record goes, he did not limit the assaults to Job alone, but extended them to his family members, servants, and the dumb animals that had no issue against him. Thus in this one instance both the malice of the enemy, and the extent of God's grace are manifested, so that we who have come after, may have an intelligent appreciation of God's loving watch-care over us, night and day.
What is worthy of note in the entire episode with Job, is that someway, somehow, he was not overthrown by the assaults of the enemy, which takes us back to our passage of scripture for today, which says that God does not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear. Thus, whenever we find ourselves being tempted by the evil one, in cases where we did not invite him to tempt us, then we may have the assurance that God is in control of the situation, and if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, we can be more than conquerors.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to stay the course with Christ, even through the difficult experiences of life, for if Jesus is in our hearts, He will give us the necessary grace and strength to weather the storms of life. Let's read:
Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!