God's purpose in Satan's attacks
"The purpose of Satan's attacks is to dislodge us from our foundation , which is Jesus Christ. He will do that if he can. God's purpose is to settle us on Jesus, and God has arranged things so that the attacks of Satan, rather than unsettling us, actually serve to bond us to that foundation even more firmly than before." - J. M. Boice
"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope..." Romans 5:3-4
Comments
He points out that at any given time and in any given event in our lives, Satan may have evil purposes which God overrules. Here's an example from the "Suffering and the Sovereignty of God" conference:
Jesus says something to Peter in Luke 22:31-32 that makes plain Satan is at work here but that he is not sovereign: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again [not: if you turn], strengthen your brothers.” Again, as with Job, Satan seeks to destroy Peter’s faith. God gives him leash. But Jesus intercedes for him, and says with complete sovereignty, “I have prayed for you. You will fall, but not utterly. When you repent and turn back—not if you turn back—strengthen your brothers.”
Satan is not sovereign in the temptations of Judas or Peter or you or those you love. God is.
We need many reminders of this.