A Holy Hedge

Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? (Job 1:10)

When Satan came to God, asking permission to tempt His servant Job, Satan complained about “a hedge” that God had placed around Job. Satan knew God had placed a special hedge of protection around His servant Job; in order for Satan to be able to do anything to Job, God would have to grant Satan permission to move inside that “holy hedge.”

Make no mistake, we serve a God of hedges. God is in the business of protecting His children. He installs hedges of protection – that is, spiritual walls, fences, or partitions – around us to protect us. But there is another biblical truth to be gleaned from the story of Job: Sometimes God will allow Satan to gain access inside the hedge He has placed around us in order to grow us and mature us in our faith.

In His infinite wisdom, God allows Satan to tempt us; and just like Job, we often do not know the exact reason why. But we can be sure of this: God is working all things together for our ultimate good and His glory. When God allowed Satan to pass through the hedge around Job, He gave Satan permission to take everything from Job except his life. Job stood up under the test; he never lost his integrity or abandoned his commitment to God.

You see, as children of God, we are eternally protected. Satan can do nothing to keep us out of heaven, but God will allow him to tempt and test us. During those times of testing, we must remember that we have a holy hedge in Jesus. He is our refuge and our fortress, and He has promised to keep us from eternal harm. Whatever storm wind God allows to blow into our lives is there to strengthen our faith and conform us more to the image of Jesus.

Remember, whenever you face trials of any kind, if God does not remove you from the trial, you can be sure that He is refining you through that trial. Look to Jesus! Trust Him, no matter what it is you are facing, and know that you are never facing it alone. Jesus is your holy hedge of protection, and He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. You are not alone!  

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!