The Hedge Around Job

The Hedge Around Job

Job 1:6-12

6 "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.  
7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”

So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”

So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."

When I read this portion of scripture I notice a couple things...

1. God pointed out Job to Satan.

2. Satan then had to request God's permission to do anything to Job, because of God's protection.

3. God allowed Satan to bring hardship and trials into Job's life.

4. God drew a line..."12 And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.'”

I can't say that I completely understand the exact reason behind God pointing out Job to Satan...but this is what I do know.   God knew Satan's nature, and God also knew Job; as well as the fact that Satan could do nothing to Job without God's approval.  From the beginning of the story to the end of the story...God watched all that took place, and God allowed only so much to happen to Job.  Not once did God say, "Hey Satan, Did you notice my man Job? Oh, you think he won't trust and serve me if I remove my protection?!?! Oh, okay then, have at him. he's all yours!"  No way, God always set boundaries, and when all was said and done, not only did Job and all of his friends learn a valuable lesson that was then passed on to all of us through the written Word, but God also restored all Job had lost, plus some. Because God won't ever just replace what was lost...God always goes above and beyond to bless us beyond what we could ever ask for or think of. 

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," 
Ephesians 3:20

Job may have had to deal with a lot of trials and hardships, but when everything was said and done...God's plans to give Job a future and a hope all came to pass.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11

God has this same plan for all of us...we all will face different trials and we will all have hard times...But we can always know that God is in control...God will work everything out for good

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

I am so thankful for God's hedge of protection around my life.  I would not be where I am today without it.  God has been faithful to lead and guide, protect and provide.  

God is good! God is faithful! God is more than enough!! 

Happy 2013!!

Happy 2013!!

As I think about the year 2012, there were so many good times, I am so thankful for all the great memories and fun times with family and friends.  And also, for the way I've seen God work in all of our hearts and lives.  Though 2012 was overall a good year, we had those hard times that come unexpectedly.  Heart breaking, cry like a baby, and lean on God's strength, type of times...the times where you can't get through on your own.  Yeah, we had some of those times too.  But through it all God was faithful.  

God is so good!! 

So, now here we are at the start of a new year...2013...and I can't help but wonder what God has in store for us this year!  I am sure that if we continue to trust in Him and follow His leading, our lives will be full and over flowing with so many blessings, we won't be able to contain it.  There will be times of joy, and maybe some filled with sorrow...but I am so thankful to know that no matter what, God will work everything out for our good!  We can trust Him with every area of our lives, our hearts, our relationships, our needs, and our desires...the good and the bad...because God is faithful, He'll make a way, even if there seems to be no way!  

Hallelujah!