Fenced In
Today’s Verse:
“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” ~Job 1:10
A fence is a barrier to keep something on the inside from getting out, or to keep anything from the outside from getting in. A nice picket fence is seen as a decorative garden enhancement. A backyard and sideyard fence is seen as a means of privacy between neighbors. In our passage this morning, we are studying the fact that God has placed a hedge about His children. Let us pause for a few minutes this morning to consider the importance of being fenced in.
We see a fortressed WITHSTANDING.
The hedge God places around His people covers them on every side. God in His goodness and wisdom places this hedge about every aspect of our life. “Hast not thou made an hedge about him, about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?” We need to pause and be thankful for the hedge God has placed around every facet of our life. Satan, who has the power of death, could destroy any of us in a moment were it not for this hedge. Think of the many road accidents you have avoided because of this hedge. Think of the financial calamities you did not have because of this hedge. Think of the protection God has given to every member of your family because of this hedge. Spiritually speaking, the spiritual war going on around us in the invisible would leave us vulnerable to complete dismantlement were it not for the fortressed withstanding of the hedge of God.
We see a forthright WITNESS.
Satan testifies of how strong, powerful, and invincible this hedge is. He knows that unless God allows a crack, opening, or lifts an area, he is unable to touch us. This gives valuable meaning to the fact that there has no temptation taken us but such as is common to man, but God will with the temptation make a way, that we may be able to bear it. Satan’s attacks are subject to the hedge God has placed around us. Never take the hedge of God for granted. We should be prayerful every moment for the hedge to be strong and completely encompassing about us. As God blesses us, submit every blessing back to the Lord for His hedge and safekeeping. I think of the cloud by day and fire by night that God gave to Israel as they marched in the wilderness. The Egyptians came close, but they could never get close enough to harm Israel.
We see a faithful WITHDRAWAL.
Satan said to God, “But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” Satan told God that if He withdrew His hedge, Job would curse God. God knew Job better than Satan (by the way: He knows you and me better than Satan as well!).When God withdraws His hedge, He does so in accordance to what He knows we can withstand in terms of trial and testing. God proved the faithfulness of Job by allowing a substantial withdrawal of His hedge from about him. In one day, Job experienced devastating losses. However, Job acknowledged the faithfulness of God when he exclaimed, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” This was not a statement of resentment against God. It was a testimony of God’s faithfulness in his life.
Be thankful that you are fenced in by the Lord. Don’t take for granted what God does for you in the invisible. A mighty fortress is our God!
Have a strengthened God Morning!