The hedge

“Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.

Job 1:10

This is an accusation against God that Satan makes as the “great accuser.” He is always apportioning blame for things and never deals with his part. He is annoyed at God’s blessing on Job, who is God’s servant and faithful follower. Satan accuses God of protecting Job too much and putting a hedge of shelter around Job. The hedge is the presence of God in Job’s life, and Job’s unwavering faith and love for God and His commandments. Also, God has blessed Job with many temporal blessings and Job is a very rich man. He has a family and a business and many possessions, but they don’t seem to have dragged his faith away from God, but remind Job that God has blessed him and is caring for him. Job’s influence has been felt in many places, and God has blessed His faith and love by making Him a blessing to many.

We also have these blessings in a great degree, and are provided for each day. We also have the Word of God to guide and comfort us and can access it at any time. We have a hedge about us too, that God will use to keep us in Him, and encourage us along the pathway to heaven.

“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for The Lord your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

If this was the only verse we had to look at and read and meditate on, it would be enough. God will never leave the righteous to be severely shaken so that they loose their faith. Faith is strengthened in adversity, so we should not be disturbed if the troubles get greater. God is building us up, not taking us down. He sends the troubles we can stand up against and learn to fight with the tools He has given to us.

“No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

Wether it is temptation or trouble, God’s people will be able to exercise faith against the desire to give up and will be over comers. God never leaves His people in the lurch, but gives the power to fight and gain the victory. We have this victory because Jesus our Saviour has overcome sin and death for us. We can fight because He has fought for us.

“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

The fight has been fought and won already, and we will conquer all too, through the intercession of Christ who prays for us, and through the learning of how to use the spiritual tools at our disposal. This is all part of the hedge that has been placed around God’s people and the witness to the world that God cares for us.

If the hedge should be taken away, as it was, seemingly, with Job, we still know we have an advocate with the father, Jesus our Redeemer and our High Priest in heaven, and it is not forever. We all will experience times of oppression and loss, but only for a time. It might seem for our detriment, but if is not. Nothing happens to the Christian that is not for their good.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

So the fact that God protects us, is always the case, even though we might not think so, or feel so. The hedge is always there, and God is working out His purposes in the circumstances of our lives, for the good of our soul and mind, and for the glory that will be revealed one day. God may take away certain things, especially the physical things we think we need, but He will restore them again and again build us up.

“Trust in the Lord, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. Also delight yourself in the Lord , and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4

“You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. You will increase my honor, and comfort me again.”

Psalm 71:20-21

Faith is the key, as the one thing that please God. Trusting in our God will enable us to do good things, think the right things, and speak truth. As our faith grown in adversity, we become better at this and become strong in the Lord our God. Always the hedge is there, because we need it. We are weak people and no matter how strong our faith, we need the Lord every day, in every way and must never forget it. He will bring our righteousness into full light one day, and He will never let us be finally shaken.

“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing.”

Psalm 37:8

Our anger may burn against injustice and hurt, but we lay it aside so that we might know Christ more and be like Him in His sufferings. Our wrath leads to evil, so we put it away from us, and exercise our faith in the Lord our God, who will deliver us from all evil.