The man was instructed by God to push against a large rock each day. Though he toiled from dawn to dusk without moving the rock, the man continued pushing with all his might as commanded. Satan tried to discourage the man by suggesting his efforts were in vain. When the man prayed to God disappointed, God reassured him that moving the rock was never the task; he had increased in strength and faith by his obedience in pushing against the rock each day. God told the man that through his perseverance, he had accomplished what was asked of him.