The Hedge Of Protection

Many Christians pray for a hedge of protection around their families. What is a hedge of protection? Where is it in the Bible? How do I get one?

Have you not put a hedge of protection around him and his house and all that he has. You have blessed the work of his hands and conferred prosperity and happiness upon him, on every side? You have left the work of his hands and conferred prosperity and happiness upon him, and his happiness possessions have increased in the land.

Job 1:10 {AMP}

Surprisingly, this quote is from Satan himself. He was complaining to God that Job was only righteous because God had planted a hedge of protection around him.

No, on the day went God’s sons cam to present themselves before the Lord, satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, where have you come from? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, from going back and forth in the earth, and walking up and down it. The Lord said to Satan, have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t you made a hedge around him, around his house, around all that has, on every side? You have breasts, the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But stretch out your hand, now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face. The Lord said to Satan, behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself, don’t stretch out your hand. So Satan went from the presence of the Lord.

Job 1:6-12 {Messianic}

This is even more prove to me that God had to protect it is real and effective. Even Satan complains that He protects His people.

But, we don’t have to trust Satan to know that God has promised to protect his people with a hedge of protection.

I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard; I love one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it up stone and planted it in the choicest vines. He build a watch tower in it, and cut out a wine press as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but a yogurt only bad fruit. Now the dweller in Jerusalem, and the people of Judah, judged between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard: I will take a weighted hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it. The vineyard of a Lord Almighty, is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines He delighted in and he looked for he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

Isaiah 5:1-7

He spoke this parable. “ A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. He said to the vine dresser, Behold, the three years I have home looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down, why does it waste soil? He answered, Lord, leave it alone this year, also, until I dig around it, and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down {Luke 13:6-9}.

Have you ever asked God for a hedge of protection around you, or your family, or a loved one? You can have a confidence hears your prayers.

Confess your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was a human as we are, and yet, when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fell for three and a half years! Then when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops {James 5:16-18}.

For Such A Time As This

Why are you positioned where you are? Why do you work where you work? Why do you live where you live? Why do you go to school where you did? Why do you go to church where you do? You do what you do because God assigned you there and here – for such a time as this.

Every now and then, we find ourselves at a moment in time that be called a “pivot point” in history. In sports they call it the time for a big play – the time when the game is on the line. In the military, it’s “D -Day” the battle that win win or lose the war. In business, it’s the sale that will put you over the top and into the black for the fiscal year.

When I think of what’s happening in our culture right now and consider that we are standing tiptoe on the edge of major change. I believe that we are at a strategic moment in time.

Have you ever thought to yourself “ Why – why am I even here?” Like is so difficult and there is such chaos in the world.

I often think of the challenge Esther was put in. It may very well be the challenge that God has you us at this point in our life’s. “Who knows maybe you have come to your position for such as a time as this? In other words, God had placed you where you are, not just to enjoy the benefits of life, but to build His Kingdom, to help His people, to fulfill His purposes.

God has created you for a divine appointment – a unique role to fulfill in your life- just like Esther. There is something you can do for God that no one else can do – a God given niche only you can fill. You may be the key player In God’s plan. I hope you’ll start to think of the man or woman in the mirror. Of all His millions of children you are the one God had positioned to rescue the people around you.

Just like that Jewish girl placed in a strategic spot, you’ve been placed where you are “for such a time as this.”

Today we aren’t living with the threat of physical death. But people are in distress. Many people are being destroyed for lack of knowledge.

People are dying for the truth. That’s why we are here, to bring life where there is death.

We see the threat of death to family.

We see the threat of death to morality.

We see the threat of death to eternity.

Wherever there are people of God there are enemies of God.

You are where you are for such a time as this because people are in distress.

If you’ve ever experienced brokenness in your life – if you think you’ve been dealt a tough hand, there is a beautiful lesson here for you. If you’ve been crushed by life – if you have a troubled past that is fractured, the you can learn some unforgettable truth from the account of Esther.

Here was a little girl who must have cried here heart out longing for her mom and dad. Years later, though, she would become the key to the very survival of her people. She was God’s person. God used her. And He can do the same for you.

Mordecai learned of the plan to kill all the Jews. He wrote a letter warning Esther. But Esther wrote back so say that she was powerless to stop the killing. Het excuse was that the law stated no one could enter the King’s chambers uninvited- even the Queen. Esther had not seen the King for along time. She may have wondered if she had fallen out of favor with him. To enter the throne room uninvited was to literally invite death, in essence m Esther was telling Mordecai, “I can’t do what God wants. I don’t want to break the law and be killed by the King.”

Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a message to Mordecai: All the king’s servants, and the king’s provinces, know, that whoever, whether man or woman, comes to the king into the inner court without being called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except those to whom the king might hold out the golden scepter, that he may live. I have not been called to come into the king these thirty days. They told to Mordecai Esther’s words.

Esther 4:10-12

Esther didn’t feel she was the person for God’s job.

Mordecai send a message back to her insisting that her Jewish blood would be discover and she too would surely die. Esther as a condemned Jew or as a queen ho violated the King’s law, Esther and her people were doomed unless she acted.

Then Mordecai told then to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the kings palace can escape and more than all the Jews, For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?

Esther 4:13-14

This had to go down as one of the most incredible pivot points of history. “Mordecai says, “If you do nothing don’t think you will escape death. You’ll be found out as a Jew and you will die. God’s hands aren’t tied. He will use someone else to save His people. But think how great it would be for you. Could it be that this explains why you were chosen to be queen, my dear Esther – for such a time as this – for this very moment.

The Lord sees as not as man sees, man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. What does He desire to see in your heart and in mine?

What You Need To Know About The Judgement Of God

There are a lot of people, many of them followers of Jesus, who live in constant fear that God is out to get them. There is idea in the Christian community that God is waiting around with His quiver of spiritual lightning bolts just waiting to fling them down at people to inflict them with all kinds of suffering because their misdeeds.

God passed judgment on his people throughout the Bible. Did that stop after Christ was crucified?

I’m looking at judgment in the Bible it helps to consider who is being judged, and what their relationship with God is.

For example, we’re they in a covenant with God? If not God had no legal obligation to bless the. ( That was Satan’s big beef in the case of Job. Job had no right to God’s protection. That was Satan’s big beef in the case of a job. You had no right to God’s protection. It was like God was blessing job “illegally” if you will).

When people are in a covenant with God they are treated accordingly. For example Abraham’s covenant was simply that God would bless him. It was independent of Abraham’s behavior. So, even though Abraham did some pretty messed up thing, he was still blessed.

In Mose’s time Israel entered into a different covenant with God. That one said if you behave correctly (follow the law) you will be blessed. If you don’t you will be cursed. So, when Israel, of individual Jews, strayed from keeping the law they brought judgement on themselves per their covenant with God.

Our Covenant With God

You just came along and fulfilled the Law on our behalf.

He himself is the sacrifice that are tones for our sins – and not for n,t our sins but the sins of all the world.

1 John 2:2

This means we have a better covenant. Today all sins have been paid for and covered. All but One.

The only way people can bring judgement on themselves now is to reject what Jesus has done from them. If they refuse to enter into th covenant they will be judged accordingly.

But here’s the thing. That judgment isn’t going to happen until the final day of judgment.

Results of Sin vs Judgment

What we see today are natural consequences of sin on the earth, not the judgment of God. For example if I had continued relying on pain pills to cope with my emotional issues there are some natural consequences to that. Being addicted to pain pills will destroy the liver, it effects decision making, and self control, and learning, and cause too little oxygen to go to the brain. and cause financial problems.

Each one of these consequences result from behavior. They are not the judgment of God on our lives.

It all starts with agreeing with, and believing any of myriad of lies of the enemy. The euphoria and numbing of being high feels good at the beginning. But Satan is the master of bait and switch. His mission is to steal, kill and destroy you and I.

When we get sucked into believing his lies we end up someplace we never intended to go. And our lives collapse around us as we add sin upon sin. Our poor decisions compound problems for ourselves and everyone around us.

That destruction is our own making, not the judgment of God.

Natural Disasters

The obvious question is what about natural disasters? Aren’t those the judgment of God on communities for their sin?

In fact, natural disasters are related to sin. Did you know that skin is so destructive? Did it actually has a tangible negative impact on nature around us? It’s true.

Paul talked about it in the book of Romans as he lays out the keys for the good news of Jesus sacrifice on our behalf. The bet he says about creation is enlightening.

For the earnest expectation of the creation, eagerly wait for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation, was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For you know the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Romans 8:19-22

Mankind, sin subjects, the planet to the bondage of corruption and earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunami‘s, drought, etc.

These are natural affects of sin on our world. But they are not the judgment of God because of people’s sin.

Discounting Sacrifice of Jesus

Here’s what is happening when people claim God is judging people today because of their sinful behavior. They are trivializing what Jesus did on the cross.

Either God poured out all his wrath on Jesus, or He didn’t. When Jesus said, “it is finished” He was either telling the truth, or He was lying.

If God is judging sin today by sending disaster on people, that means what you Jesus did wasn’t enough, in that case Jesus blew it by not taking care of the entire sin problem once and for all.

And if that’s the case, we better throw out huge chunks of the New Testament. We can start with Hebrews 10;12-18:

But our High Priest offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then He sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There He waits until His enemies are humbled and made a footstool under His feet. For by that one offering the forever made perfect those who are being made holy. And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For He says. ‘This is a new covenant I will made with my people on that day, says the Lord I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. Them He says, I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds’ And when sins have been forgiven, there is o need to offer any more sacrifices.’

Hebrews 10:12-18

Either Jesus paid it all, or He didn’t, if He didn’t then we might as we,k pack it all in. In that case, the whole Gospel falls apart and there is no good news. Were that true we’d all be doomed.

Judgment Day

One big question comes up about the book of Revelation. What about that?

I’ll say it right out I am not an end times Scholar. So there’s a plan in revelation that I don’t have any insight on.

That said, here what I do understand. There is judgement coming for all mankind. Basically it’s two-fold.

That will be a general judgment of all mankind. There will only be one item, considered there that matters – whether a person accepted or rejected Jesus’s payment for their sin.

Those who have accepted Jesus as payment, and had chosen to be, with God, will be judged, based on Jesus his performance. As a result, they will be found ‘not guilty’ of sin, and get to spend all of eternity with Him.

Those who have rejected Jesus is aiming for their sins, get to be judged on their own performance. Since everyone has blown it at some point, those who have chosen to reject God will get what they have chosen and be sentenced to spend all of eternity separated from God.

The second judgment is just for believers. They will be evaluated on what they did with the Gospel. It’s not a judgment of punishment, but rather a judgment of rewards. Rewards will be passed out based on peoples obedience to Christ.

But they get to skip the punishment part because they accepted Jesus’s payment for the punishment they deserved.

Absence of Blessing and Judgment

I don’t think it’s possible to cover this entire subject. But there is one thing I want to mention.

When I became a follower of Jesus. God completely delivered me from my pain pill addiction. It’s a long story. But I have had no desire whatsoever to take pain pills for more than 20years now.

That’s the blessing of God working in my life. I know it is because before I became a believer, I tried everything in my power to quit.

Some people might be thinking that, as my life was falling, apart, due to my addiction, that I was being punished by the judgment of God. But that’s not true. Mostly it was due to my own ignorance and incorrect understandings of God, His character and His ways.

But regardless of the reasons for it, the bottom line is, I can only enjoy the benefits of the blessing when I called to receive it. Until I received the blessings they are inoperable in my life.

Many people mistake that the absence of God’s blessing is being under God’s judgment. They aren’t the same thing. Sin is not the issue between us and God, even though you are natural mind, it can seem like it is.

God’s not judging us, because Jesus satisfy his judgment. Jesus paid the price for both those who believe in those who never will (1 John 2:2). We simply have to accept that He paid the price on our behalf. He received the benefit of that payment. But the price has already been paid regardless. Since sin is already completely paid, for there is no longer any room or the judgment of God on people today.

Ways God Alone Can Make Peace In Your Soul

Peace. It’s something not many of us have had the pleasure of feeling a lot during the last few years. If we are being honest with ourselves, peace isn’t Som a lot of us has had a firm grasp on for awhile. When you here then word peace, you may at first think of it in terms of external elements. The peace we all need is internal peace.

We know that this world is in trouble, but because of Jesus, He has given us a peace that shatters understanding. In John 14:27 Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let you heart be troubles and do not be afraid.

Here are a few ways God makes peace in our souls, although not how we expect. I pray these can give to comfort as the days progress.

  • Through Our Past Mistakes

If you’re like me, you’ve made some mix. Whether it’s something only you and God know about, or something everyone is aware of, being human and sinful is a given. Mistakes are not roadblock that derails us from God’s plan for our life. Although our sins can have serious repercussions. Romans 8:28 tells us, “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.”

Our mistakes, our sins, are not what God intended for our lives. Because there is free will, and we are faulty humans, there are going to be moments in life where what we do was not intended for us. When we come to Jesus with repentant hearts, he graces us with Him unending forgiveness we can all have peace that surpasses all understanding. To be free from guilt and shame and then we can watch how God uses our past to give us a means to relate to others, and radiate His better plan as a gift. Our mistakes will help make peace to make peace with our souls.

  • When Dreams Are Delayed.

Im a dreamer. I love thinking about what might be in my future with hope and fascination, but to be honest the older I get the harder it is to continue to dream. Cynicism is a nasty mindset that can grab ahold of a pillow sized dream in our hearts and punch it until it’s nothing more than a cotton ball.

Our dreams, I believe, are extensions of our gifts and talents. It’s the positive side of a story. So what we do with dreams that seem to be skipping on the record player of life? Should we give up on them and become “realistic?” By no mean. Give your dreams to the protective arms of God. It’s there, where we are about to give up, that God loves to bring us, and our hopes and dreams , into His loving arms., if we only surrender.

When we give our dreams to God, He will give us peace to move forward throughout the next day..,and the day after that. And whether or not a particular dream comes through on this side of heaven, we can have peace, knowing that God knows what is best for us, for our story, and for His Glory.

  • In Sickness And Strife

I will always consider sickness and strife to be an unwanted condition and, while I wish that no one would have to endure it, it is unfortunately an impossible situation to avoid. We have all at one time or another, felt the pain and sadness that is a result of our own sickness that is a result of our own sickness and that of family and friends. How could one find peace in that you may ask?

While it’s not something wished on, many times when we are in a place of sickness and strife we become desperate and in a posture of surrender. Surrender to our physicians, surrender to our researchers and medical scientists, and when our hearts are in a need for rest, surrender to our great Lord and Savior. The peace I have experienced while sitting in a hospital bed praying or to hear of a loved ones next breath in the silence can only come from the Lord. This peace is not a flighty feeling but, deep, strong, and full of conviction.

When we lose our ground and the unknown diagnosis or test results are in the balance, reach out to the Father and He will give you peace that surpasses any test results.as John states so clearly in 3 John 1:2, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoyed good health, and that all may go well for you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

  • When we Face Our Fears

What are you afraid of? That’s a loaded question for many of us. Andrew may be in any severity level between heights, spiders, small places, or even death. Wow, a certain level of fear keeps us from getting hurt. I can be considered “common sense,” The fear I’m talking about is a fear that overtake you and strip you of your power which the Holy Spirit wants to work in your life. Do you let fear of others opinion of you, reaction to you, or acceptance of you dictate how you live in agreement to what God has asked you to do? Does your fear of the unknown keep you from taking chances are following the Spirit’s lead in your life?

In Jeremiah 17:7-8, we are reminded how to work through those fears with trust in our Lord’s provision, “But blessed is the one who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that send out its roots by the stream. It does not have fear when heats comes; it’s leaves are always green. It have no worries in a year of drought, and never fails to bear fruit.” When our roots are grounded in the Lord’s word, in prayer and in truth, then we will find a peace that surpasses any peace to be found in a human’s attention or acceptance.

  • When Our World Is Crumbling

Over the last few years, we as a human race, have you seen numerous examples I would’ve fallen, sinful and painful place it can be. From the global pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice, political strife, and severe weather, it’s not hard to find moments of unrest. I don’t know how each person is handling our currency state of affairs, or even how deeply the pain affects their everyday lives, but I do know from my own experiences through the past few years that my only source of peace has been from my Savior.

I have stood on 1 Peter 5:6-9 many times is says, “ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cash all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering.”

When the world around us is crumbling, Jesus is the only constant. When we realize Jesus is walking along with us through each tear feared night and anxious morning, we can receive His peace in our minds and hearts. It won’t mean that our monetary troubles on this earth will disappear. It don’t mean that we should give up on our part of bringing peace and love to our neighbors. It doesn’t mean we should become complacent or apathetic to issues at hand either. What it does mean is that we cannot give up on what God wants to do through us. We are each on this earth, at this moment in time, for a reason. We should be lifted up with His peace and keep walking together throughout our daily lives with love for one another.