The book of Job is in the bible to teach us that not even Satan can come against us without going through God first. Job 1-2 reveals that the devil had to check in with God before he could even touch Job.
Satan said that Job had it easy because he had no opposition, and there are several things that are clear in the story of Job.
First, God permitted Job to endure trials more severe than any of us will ever face.
Second, Job’s trials involved the opposition of Satan trying to break his faith and make him turn away from God. Third, everything that touched Job passed through God’s hands FIRST.
God allowed Satan to reach Job because God wanted to test Job for His own purposes. He allowed the devil to bring adverse circumstances into Job’s life. We can be sure the enemy of our souls is lurking somewhere, seeking to turn a legitimate trial into a temptation to disobey God.
The difference in perspective is critical. A trial can become a temptation if we succumb to the pressure and bail out on God. It’s very interesting that in the New Testament, the same Greek word can be translated as ‘trial’ and as ‘temptation’ depending on the context. Satan wants to turn God’s trial into his own temptation, which is why we need divine wisdom to handle it.

Let’s go back to James 1 and revisit this promise: “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial. For once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
This crown is usually understood to be a reward we receive in heaven, but the context in James 1 suggests that this crown is not a reward in heaven but God’s smile of approval on us in history when we endure the trial victoriously and He takes us to the next level of spiritual maturity.

We can see the crown of life being rewarded to Job at the end of his ordeal. Like a good mystery, Job has a surprise ending. God doesn’t answer the burning question of why Job underwent such intense suffering when he had done nothing wrong. Instead of answering the why question, God revealed himself to Job in such an awesome display of His majesty and power that Job fell on his face.

Thanks so much for listening!
-Lilly & Hannah