Job 1: (MSG)
1  Job was a man who lived in Uz. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion.
2  He had seven sons and three daughters.
3  He was also very wealthy—seven thousand head of sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a huge staff of servants—the most influential man in all the East!
4  His sons used to take turns hosting parties in their homes, always inviting their three sisters to join them in their merrymaking.
5  When the parties were over, Job would get up early in the morning and sacrifice a burnt offering for each of his children, thinking, “Maybe one of them sinned by defying God inwardly.” Job made a habit of this sacrificial atonement, just in case they’d sinned.
6  One day when the angels came to report to GOD, Satan, who was the Designated Accuser, came along with them.
7  GOD singled out Satan and said, “What have you been up to?” Satan answered GOD, “Going here and there, checking things out on earth.”
8  GOD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job? There’s no one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil.”
9  Satan retorted, “So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart?
10  Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can’t lose!
11  “But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He’d curse you right to your face, that’s what.”
12  GOD replied, “We’ll see. Go ahead—do what you want with all that is his. Just don’t hurt him.” Then Satan left the presence of GOD.

What I am about to write will no doubt cause concern among many in the religious world, even among some evangelicals.  However, I am not one who always conforms to those worlds.

There is  teaching among “faith” preachers that if you are sick it is because you have sinned.  Sorry, I can find no premise in the scriptures for that.

Then in the same camp a teaching if you are not healed you must not have faith.  This is totally erroneous.

Please note in the above passage that satan enters the throne of God complaining about the hedge that is around God’s man, Job.

It is my belief that satan is still doing this for I can find no scripture where he is bound in this present day.  Yes, after Christ’s return he will be bound for a period of time, a thousand years.  Then unleashed once more to try those who have come through this thousand years.

1 Peter 5: MSG
8  Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.

Revelation 12: MSG
7  War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back,
8  but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left.
9  The great Dragon—ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray—thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth.
10  Then I heard a strong voice out of Heaven saying, Salvation and power are established! Kingdom of our God, authority of his Messiah! The Accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out, who accused them day and night before God.

Notice in 1 Peter and in the Book of Revelation a description of Satan, as of a roaring lion, and the accuser.

The child of God must remain diligent and always on guard:

Ephesians 6: MSG
11  So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.

The family and friends went to Job and said “you must have done something wrong”.  Job told his wife, “you talk like a foolish women”.

Take a look at the reply of Job to those who thought Job must have sinned because of things he was going through.

Job 23:  MSG
10  “But he knows where I am and what I’ve done. He can cross-examine me all he wants, and I’ll pass the test with honors.

It is of my firm belief that many saints of God live in defeat because they have believed a lie thinking they have sinned because of the trials they are going through.  They look inwards trying to find a sin that is not there.

I am here to say that when you are going through hard times it just may be that God is bragging on you for doing everything right.  Like Job hold on because when you come out there other side of the trial you shall be like pure gold.