Texts: Job 1: 9-12; Colossians 1: 1-17; Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 1:1, Jeremiah 32:27
The slithery serpent of an enemy declared a truth about our existence that we should not forget; God has a hedge of protection around us, which wards off attacks and also protects us when He allows them. We are protected from dangers which we are aware of, and others which result from conversations which we have not been privy to. Job feared the Lord and honoured Him, but was not cognisant of the debates about his safety and protection in the spiritual realm.
Not only does this text reveal God’s loving mercy through His protection, but it also allows us to recognise a marked trait in the enemy – it resents our fellowship with God and will do its best to disrupt it. That may cause some initial anxiety, especially when God allows the attack, but on close examination, we can also bask in God’s confidence. He was not disturbed by the enemy’s scheme against Job as He had the grandest plans for his life – a profound testimony of His glory! EVERYTHING above, within and beneath the earth was made by Him, hence nothing confounds Him. He is all seeing, all knowing – purely sovereign, and He always has a plan.
God’s hedge around us remains until He decides otherwise. If He does remove or shift it and it feels as if the earth has been pulled from under your feet, remember that His thoughts and plans for us are higher than our limited human brains can perceive. Despite this truth, it will feel incredibly scary, and I understand how vulnerable you feel. When my home environment became a place that brought me constant anxiety and fear in the enemy’s attacks against my writing ministry, my wellbeing suffered as a result and everything concerning me shook; in hindsight, it could only have been God who kept and sheltered me, giving me the will to persist.
In the text, it seems the enemy would have been happy to take Job’s life too, but God spared him; the enemy has God-given boundaries and none of its schemes can supersede God’s divine plans. When the familiar hedge seems to have disappeared because of what you lost, be assured that there is an ultimate hedge – my Father’s presence, protection and promises which will never fail. If you’re walking with God, it may seem paradoxical to believe this in times of calamity but don’t forget – you’re covered. If you’re not quite sure about where you stand with God, don’t believe in Him or you’re apathetic towards a relationship with Him, He protects you too and wants the best for you. In hindsight, it was only His protection that kept me in silly seasons when I refused to submit to Him and closed doors that would have been highly detrimental to my walk with Him.
Like Job’s, some of our experiences don’t make sense, and seem incapable of enabling us and others to grow until we have the benefit of hindsight. Indeed, even when the trials end and the reasons are still unclear, it is possible (as I learned the hard way), to develop enough trust in God to keep serving Him even when His ways seem confusing (or even harsh!). Keep seeking Him exhausted fellow pilgrims. You will eventually learn to be thankful that what you experienced was minor in comparison to the enemy’s extensive schemes to bring about your downfall. Read all the texts linked to this entry if time allows and build your faith; He covers you. Be encouraged, and pray for even one minute today, even if your problems are overwhelming. I am praying for you too. More in the series next week.
Heartfelt Prayer: Dear Lord, I have never felt this vulnerable before. All seems lost. All that gave me comfort seems to have disappeared, and it seems unfair and hurtful that You allowed it. I know that You are a loving God and though I know it’s the enemy’s lie, You seem very harsh. You know my thoughts already – I suppose I should simply be honest about them to You. I know I can’t flee from Your presence. Please help me to remember that my confidence and security are in You – not the people You have loaned me for this leg of my journey, or the possessions You have entrusted to me to steward including my health, resources, finances, home, relationships and daily comforts. Help me when I find it difficult to remember that You are in control. Please continue to be the unmoveable hedge around me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
