Job 1:10-20
1.)"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright; and one that feared God and shunned evil. 2.) And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3.) His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the sons of the east. 4.) And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5.) And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job regularly. 6.) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan came also among them. 7.) And the Lord said unto satan, Whence comest thou? Then satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8.) And the Lord said unto satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one that feareth God and shuns evil?
9.) Then satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nothing? 10.) Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11.) But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12.) And the Lord said unto satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
13.) And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 14.) And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing and the asses feeding beside them: 15.) And the Sabeans attacked and took them away; yeah, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16.) While he was yet speaking there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and destroyed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17.) While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans formed three bands, and raided the camels, and have carried them away, yeah, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18.) While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 19.) And, behold, there came a great wind from across the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20.) Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21.) And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 22.) In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."
Job was a "perfect and upright" man - a real saint - and as such he was providentially protected by the "hedge" of angels (Psalm 34:7 and Hebrew 1:14), and the sheltering love of God. Yet no true servant of the Lord escapes the eye of the adversary. Satan and his hosts are constantly seeking to trap us and hinder us as we walk the pilgrim pathway to the City of God. Nothing, however, can harm us or come inside the hedge unless God allows it. We are guarded on all sides by His presence, for He is before us (Isaiah 48:17); behind us (Isaiah 30:21); to the right of us (Psalm 16:8); to the left of us (Job 23;9); above us (Psalm 36:7); underneath us (Deuteronomy 33:27); and - in his dispensation - even within us (I Corinthians 3:16). When things which seem adverse happen to us, we must recognize immediately that they come to us with divine permission and definite purpose.
Austin Dibb, a pastor and true child of God, was once extremely ill. In his weakened condition, he was severely attacked by the evil one. "I have had a terrible conflict with the enemy today," he said in his quaint way. "The Devil said, 'Thou hast been my enemy all thy life, Austin, and now I have thee fast, and now I shall have my revenge on thee on the deathbed.'" "And what did you say to him then, Austin?" said a friend who had called to comfort him. The old man raised himself upon one elbow and with a loud and vigorous voice exclaimed, "I said, 'Devil, the Lord hath put a hedge about me, and thou canst not touch me.'" "What did the evil one say to that?" asked his friend. "Nothing!" replied the venerable old gentleman. "The old serpent just fled, and I fell into a peaceful sleep!" From that moment Austin Dibb had no further doubts, for he recognized his divine security and protection.
In God's care we too can be at peace, for He keeps "the hedge."
"Bread For Each Day"
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