Job 40:1-5 - And the LORD said to Job: "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." Then Job answered the LORD and said: "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further."

This devotion pairs with this weekend's Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lhm.org.

There is a biblical character named Job who learned a thing or two about evil. When he lost his family, his health, and his possessions, Job put all his confidence in the good life he had led, and he let God know that he thought he deserved better. Job was sincerely religious; he was no hypocrite, but he forgot how dependent even the most religious people are on God.

He forgot and God reminded him. "Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you," God says in Job 40. "Can one take [Behemoth] by the eyes, or pierce his nose with a snare? Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? (Job 40:24-25). God told Job there are times when you and I are outmatched. He was saying, "Look at this monster! Can you control him? No, you can't, but I can."

Fellow believer, when the devil tempts you to sin, to do what the Commandments say you should not do, please don't think that you're equal to the task. Countless Christians through the centuries have thought they were so religious they could handle anything that came their way, but they couldn't. The devil is the fiercest monster of all. Don't think you can defeat him or resist evil all on your own. You can't.

But does that mean resistance is futile? Never! Victory through God awaits. Martin Luther, the 16th-century reformer, wrote, "Tho devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us, we tremble not, we fear no ill. They shall not overpower us. This world's prince (the devil) may still scowl fierce as he will. He can harm us none. He's judged. The deed is done. One little word can fell him."

And what is this "word" that can ward off the monstrous attacks of Satan and his filthy minions? It's the powerful Word of God that gives life, not death. It's the powerful Word made flesh, "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14b). It is Jesus Christ our Lord. It was a life and death struggle when Jesus hung on the cross. When He died so long ago, it appeared the forces of evil had won. But when God the Father raised His Son from the dead, it was a victory resurrection! Jesus has paid the price for the sins of the world once and for all, and that victory reaches down through the centuries to you and to me.

So it is by faith we embrace God's victory through Jesus for our lives. Receive it through faith, and the riches of Christ's triumph over sin, death, and the devil will be yours.

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, we cannot stand on our own. Give our hearts faith in Your Son, our Savior, who has given us victory in all things. Amen.

This Daily Devotion is based on a sermon, "When the Monsters Come," by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour.

Reflection Questions:

1. Can a successful life that's free from worries be an impediment to trusting God? Why?

2. Why is thinking we can fight Satan through our own power a foolish thing to do?

3. How is Jesus' resurrection from the dead a victory we can all possess?

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 23-25    1 Corinthians 14:21-40

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