Our Hedge of Protection

 By: Joanne Viola

 

 

In my last post I shared about Job’s character, which you can read here. Job was a man who was “blameless, feared God, and shunned evil.” He walked in God’s ways.

Satan knew that and yet, he returns to God with an accusation:

“Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? 
You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” 
(Job 1:10, NASB)

Basically Satan is accusing God of putting a hedge of protection around Job. This is an interesting accusation to say the least.

We know God does protect, although this is not to say, we will never experience difficult or painful situations. When God permits these things, it always serves a purpose in our lives.

In Job’s life, God removes His protection to a point, and Job does suffer, what is in my opinion, unbearable pain and loss.

But here is the thing: God is with him and Job remains faithful to God because he knows the goodness and mercy of God.

We need to remember that God does protect His people. Let’s look at a few of the promises which we have been given:

• “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” (Psalm 3:3, NASB) The psalmist acknowledged in his circumstances then, and reminds us today, God surrounds us. He is about us. He is a shield which brings protection.
• “You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5, NKJV) Again we see the idea of a hedge. A hedge is used as a boundary, which assures us God will only allow so much.
• “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” (Psalm 125:2, NASB) God surrounds us with His grace and mercy, providing protection, so that we remain living our days with Him.

God knows what is best for us and does all He can to guide us. He hems us in, [encloses us], behind and before and puts His hand on us to keep us steadily on the right path.

God –
behind and before us,
our hedge of protection.

 

 

Reflection: 
God has surrounded us, protected us, and prevented harm from occurring, many times even when we were unaware. Which of these verses will you remember this coming week?

 

Image by Julia Casado from Pixabay