I frequently meet people who have rejected God because of evil in the world. Usually, it’s more an emotional response to personal pain and suffering than an intellectual, rational position chosen because it makes more sense. Instead, the existence of God and the non-existence of God are both steps of faith, not reason.
Satan’s attack on Job was intended to bring him to personally “curse God” to his face. There are many facets of the idea of “cursing,” but one of them isn’t to deny God’s existence. The actual “cursing” God suggests that He does indeed exist. Although it often includes the emotional rejection of the existence of God, it usually focuses on God’s nature. He is not “good.” The New Testament teaches us that it’s by faith that we please God. Faith is not merely believing that God exists but that he is good regardless of our perceived circumstances. God exists, and His intentions towards us are always good. To curse God would be to deny one or both of these aspects of faith.
Job’s pain and suffering caused much consternation as he attempted to reconcile his suffering with his Faith in God and God’s goodness. He did not deny them. Job was puzzled over how the God he knew existed and was a good God could allow such catastrophe in his life for no apparent reason. It’s the same struggle we all have. The challenge for us, like Job, is whether we will continue to have faith and affirm His existence and goodness when we pass through life’s trials. Satan seeks to destroy that faith.
Many of Job’s comments to God affirm his faith in God and His goodness despite his suffering. He says, “Your hands fashioned and made me…Remember that you have made me like clay…You clothed me with skin and flesh and knit me with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.”
Our prayer in a similar vein might be, “Father, though I am suffering right now, I know you are there. I know you are good. I know you made me and will never desert me because you love me with everlasting love. You preserve me in bad times as well as the good times. I praise your name.”