Permission

Job 1:8-12

The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about 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 put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

Luke 22:31, 32

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

When Satan demands to sift us like wheat (and he certainly will) we must remember that he must first get permission before he can do so.

But why would our loving Father allow us to be sifted like wheat?

Job 42:1-5

Then Job answered the LORD and said, “I know that You can do all things,

and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.  ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’  “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”  ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’  “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You;”

Abba allows us to be sifted like wheat because when the sifting is over we will understand things too wonderful for us, which we did not know.

And instead of only hearing of the Lord by the hearing of the ear, our eyes will now see Him.

So…

Have you seen the Lord lately?