In the last message we saw that“Every good story needs an villain.” And we saw that the villain in the Christmas Story, the reason the Son of God (the hero) appeared, is the Dragon – the ancient serpent, the devil. He crept into God’s perfect world, deceived God’s Beloved, and whisked her away. But we ended on the hopeful note: “The Dragon is doomed!” But perhaps, even with that promise, many are left with questions like these: Does every good story really need a villain?Can’t God write a good story without one? And if this Dragon is doomed, why does God still let him wreak havoc on the earth? Why would a good God allow an evil Dragon to be a part of his story at all and cause so much suffering and misery? We all love the promise of Romans 8:28 that for those who love God, all things work together for good. What good purpose does the Dragon serve?
No one wrestled with these kinds of deep questions more than God’s servant Job. There was literally “none like him on the earth” according to God himself (Job 1:8). Job was a “blameless and upright man, who feared God.” One day God’s enemy Satan, the Dragon, came and challenged God – “Does Job fear God for no reason? You have greatly blessed him! But touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face!” Challenge accepted. God allowed Satan to take everything away from Job – his children, his possessions, and even his health. This led Job to question God’s goodness and his love. Which was exactly what the Dragon was hoping for; “Curse God and die!” – as Job’s own wife demanded. That would have been a win for the Dragon. In the end, Job prevails and God wins. Let’s see what see what victory over this “doomed Dragon” looks like for us today? On this second Sunday of Advent, turn with me to Job 41:1-42:6.
