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Hedges

JOB 1:6-12
NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV)
SATAN ATTACKS JOB’S CHARACTER
6 NOW THERE WAS A DAY WHEN THE SONS OF GOD CAME TO PRESENT THEMSELVES BEFORE THE LORD, AND SATAN[A] 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.

Many ascribe to the devil god - like powers, this is a misconception among many Christians. This is so far from the truth...people believe that the devil can do whatever he wants...this is where the word superstition comes from - it means, 'Fear of the devil'
Others believe that their struggles of sin are the devil's overpowering of their soul...demons are too big, Christians believe they are ambushed, which is why they struggle so much...this is also bunk!

The devil is limited - he complained to God about a hedge...
A hedge was used by farmers in biblical times designed to keep trespassers from trampling down their fields!
The devil in our text is confessing that he has limitations - he's screaming that it's not fair! God has designed protection to keep the devil out! Now, we have the ability to break the hedge! We can allow the devil entry.

ECCLESIASTES 10:8
NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV)
8 HE WHO DIGS A PIT WILL FALL INTO IT,
AND WHOEVER BREAKS THROUGH A WALL WILL BE BITTEN BY A SERPENT.

There is divine protection, but if you break the hedge, the devil will be granted access to hurt you.
Here are some hedges we break… Headship / Tithing / Self-discipline / Forgiveness
This is the reality of our self-inflicted wounds. We are often our own worse enemy.

MARK 7:21-23
NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV)
21 FOR FROM WITHIN, OUT OF THE HEART OF MEN, PROCEED EVIL THOUGHTS, ADULTERIES, FORNICATIONS, MURDERS, 22 THEFTS, COVETOUSNESS, WICKEDNESS, DECEIT, LEWDNESS, AN EVIL EYE, BLASPHEMY, PRIDE, AND FOOLISHNESS. 23 ALL THESE EVIL THINGS COME FROM WITHIN AND DEFILE A MAN.”

Our biggest problem isn’t the devil, it’s what is already inside us! So the enemy isn’t strong enough to break the hedge, we simply open the door.

Listen, God will not help you with anything you’re not doing! God will not bless disobedience!
It is our responsibility to make up the wall / hedge and allow God to get involved! This was the plight of Nehemiah…he appealed before his king saying, ‘The COI are making their homes, but Jerusalem is still without walls and we need protection’
God’s blessing rests in the hedges that are built in His name!

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