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The process of self-emptying is described with God's blessing as the result.
Excerpt: The testimony of the inspired word respecting this man of ancient days, Job, is, that he was a genuine man of God, “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1). His substance was very great, for God had blessed him with earthly blessings in earthly places. It is important to notice this, before Job is put in the furnace. The genuineness of his character is a settled question, on the testimony of God.
The testimony of the word is also quite as clear respecting every child of God in this dispensation, however tried and buffeted he may be. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). We are not blessed in earthly places, with a substance that may be destroyed; but blessed in the heavenlies in Christ. But note the certainty — hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to His abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5). Thus the blessing of the believer, in these two chapters, Ephesians 1 and 1 Peter 1, is in very bright contrast with even the “greatest man of the East (see Job 1:3). Job’s inheritance might fade away — not so the believer’s.
Before entering, then, on this scene of fierce conflict, let the believer be well grounded, on the testimony of God, in what is absolutely certain to him It is most clear by the Word of God that HE HATH redemption through the precious blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins. His inheritance in the heavenlies could not be made more secure to him For the Lord Jesus, who died for his sin, has been raised from the dead, and has gone up on high, to take and hold the possession of the heavenly places for him. Is it not then as sure to the believer as if he were there? That is, could he hold it more securely than Christ in glory holds it for him? Ah! it is a settled question; reserved for him in heaven. But it may be said, Though a child of God, may he not fall, so as to lose it after all? No, that is settled too, for those “who are kept by the power of God” (1 Peter 1:5). Thus, trembling believer, does the testimony of God’s word make all clear and certain to thee. God’s testimony of Job was, that he was “perfect and upright.” He fears God and hates evil. And again as to the standing of the believer now, how clear the testimony: “For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:14). “And ye are complete in Him” (Col. 2:10). And is not love to God, love of holiness, and hatred of evil, the characteristic of every one born of God (1 John 3:6-10)? Thus did the testimony of God settle, at first, the blessing and character of Job, and thus now does the testimony of the word settle the blessing and character of every child of God.
The veil of the invisible world, so to speak, is now drawn aside. Satan comes amongst the sons of God. He comes from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. This is that great adversary of whom Peter tells us, he walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The Lord, in order to let us see what an adversary we have, puts a question to Satan: “Hast thou considered My servant Job?” etc. (Job 1:8). And Satan had considered the case of Job. Ah! often when we little suspect, Satan may be watching us and considering, with all the experience of ages, what temptations may be most suited to our particular case. Your door may be shut and you may forget, but there may be watching you, with the deepest malignity, that real person, that real adversary, Satan. He would be no more real if we saw him God hath blessed Job, and that is quite enough to fill the heart of Satan with hatred. And now begins the permitted trial of Job. There was a needs be. And never are we permitted to be sifted by Satan, but there is a needs be. With the real child of God, Satan is sure to outwit himself. God will make all work for the believer’s good.
May God bless the henceforth of your life, my reader, as He blessed the latter end of Job! Abhorring all that is of self, with your eye fixed on Jesus, may your soul repose in God your justifier; and thus your peace shall flow like a river. Gazing in the face of the adorable Jesus, may your path be brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.