Pastor’s Corner: “Strong Bushes”
Job 1:10 (NIV) – 10 “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.
In Christian circles the phrase “Hedge of Protection” is often used when praying for others. I don’t’ know about you, but the mental image of a hedge (line of bushes) does not always bring me feelings of safety and security. A line of bushes seems kind of flimsy. In my mind the word “hedge” just does not seem to be the best choice or a strong enough word to describe God’s Protection.
After some investigation I found that the original Hebrew word used for hedge is a verb and it literally means: to hedge or fence up or about – formed for protection. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary definition for hedge & protection – Hedge: A fence or boundary that can define an area or create a level of security or defense & Protection: Covering or shielding from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction. When you combine these two thoughts together, then a “hedge of protection” is a fence or boundary that is designed to act as a covering to shield you from exposure, injury, damage or destruction.
I am more drawn to the following two translations: Job 1:10 (NLT) – 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Job 1:10 (CEV) – 10 “You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere. This scripture gives and much stronger image of protection. It brings up images of President Trump visiting the Rio Grande Valley yesterday, standing in front of the newly constructed Border Wall while giving his speech about safety and security.
Everyone shares the desire to feel safe. It’s one of the reasons people will move, for example, to a “safer” neighborhood—because they want the peace of mind of feeling protected. The Bible tells us, however, that God has promised to protect you. If you remember, Jesus stated in John 10:28-30 that no one can snatch you out of his hand or the Father’s hand. Additionally: Psalm 34:7 (NIV) – 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 139:5 (NIV) – 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Psalm 91:1 (AMP) – He who dwells (stays) in the shelter of the Most High Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand]. And this is just scratching the surface of God’s promises of protection for us.
This biblical promise of protection prompts the question: what exactly does a “hedge of protection” mean for my life and yours?
God’s protection from outsiders: God has promised to protect you from things meant to harm you. He will watch over your family. He will provide shelter and safety in times of trouble. He will keep you when you are attacked by the enemy. There are times in life where tragedy may happen in your family…I know from personal experience, as I am sure you do as well. This does not negate the promises of God. Rather, our trials are reminders of the fallen world we live in. When life doesn’t make sense, I pray you would trust God’s heart all the more. He has not forsaken you!
God’s protection from ourselves: God is not only interested in protecting you from outsiders, He is also interested in protecting you from you. Don’t you agree that sometimes we are “our own worst enemy?” To do this, He may create a hedge that makes it difficult to engage in the behavior that he knows is not good for you. He may put obstacles in the way. I can recall instances where I was on my way to do something I shouldn’t be doing and an obstacle arose to try to prevent me from doing it. This was God using a hedge to help me. Sometimes we may foolishly push through the hedge anyways and we suffer the consequences. If you will allow him, God will protect you from yourself.
Praying for a Hedge of Protection: When you are seeking God’s will and direction and a relationship with Him, you can pray God’s promises to Him. All of Psalm 91 talks about the Lord’s protection. When we speak out God’s promises to us, trusting Him in faith, even when it does not look like we are being protected, God is pleased (Faith pleases God) and it releases His power and presence. Psalm 121:7-8 – The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Don’t be afraid to ask and believe God and believe His promises.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton