February 25, 2026
The communique is going to follow a new line of thought. It will be a follow-up on Sunday’s
message with application and more information.
Message: Sweet Surrender
Perhaps a common misconception about Christianity is that walking with God in
righteousness will greatly reduce trials and trouble. A misnomer is if you suffer it’s
because of sin in your life. That certainly was not the case with Job who was declared
by God three times to be blameless, up right, shuns evil and follows God.
I want to focus on the one who caused the suffering for Job and can do the same with
us. It wasn’t God, but Satan, and from this we learn that: Satan can come off as an
angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. His
purpose was to accuse God’s people of sin before the throne of God. Of course God
knows we are washed in His blood and completely forgiven and righteous.
We also see that Satan is not almighty. He can only do what God allows and for a the
time God has set. He is like a dog on a short leash. So, Satan is limited in what he can
do on his own. While Satan was not permitted to take Job’s life he was permitted to
touch what he owned, including Job himself. He destroyed his livestock and even killed
many of his hired servants. He was also allowed to bring on sickness. Job 2:7-8 So
Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from
the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery
and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. Not all sickness or suffering is
from Satan, but some may be.
What can we do? James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you. If you are resisting Satan and leaning into God and Satan stays with
you then its time to ask: “God is there something you are trying to teach me?” If that is
the case then God will not call Satan off until you ask God to teach you something He
wants you to learn. Keep in mind Satan can only do what God permits.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today, 4:30 Confirmation class.
Sunday 1, 9:00 Morning worship and Holy Communion. Sermon: Learning to Lament.
Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Our service also airs on: KGLO 1300 AM at 10:00 AM, and KIOW 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM. Spread the word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making
it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will
not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
