The Hedge Part Two

 "Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

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.

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to they face.

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."

Job 1:9-12

Yesterday we saw that God turned Satan's attention specifically to Job.

Today we see the character of Satan, and the hedge of protection from God.

Satan is a person of excuses, and rebuttals.  He is out to seek and to destroy, he is the Accuser of the brethren.  He is only happy when he can cause pain and destruction.  His purpose is to turn others from God.

In verse 9, Satan falsely accuses Job of only serving God for his own selfish reasons.  In verse 10, He accuses Job of serving God because has been under the hedge of protection from the LORD.

    I found it interesting that Satan KNEW of God's protection surrounding Job, and that the protection was 'on every side.'  I wonder, if at some point in time before this conversation with the LORD, that Satan had already tried to seek and devour and destroy Job, but could not penetrate past the protective hedge that God had placed around him?

This tells me that-

    Satan can't touch me without God allowing him to-

    God has a purpose and a plan for each one of my trials and tests and that they are in HIS timing-

    Satan will search for my weak spots to get an advantage or foothold-

    I am fully protected on all sides by my LORD.

"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."

Psalm 34:7

This verse also tells me that Satan is aware that Promotion comes from the LORD.  He noticed that Job was blessed in all things, not only in his house but in the land.  Job was probably known in the gates.

    Our testimony is known by others.  What is it telling them about us?  About the God we serve?

    Our testimony is known by our friends, and it is known by our enemies.

Satan accused Job of only serving the LORD because his life had been blessed, but he told God that if He was to remove all of it, Job would blame God and turn from Him.

    I'm sure Satan had already seen that reaction from others that God allowed him to test.  Something goes wrong in a Believer's life and Who do they blame?  

Vs12- God had given Satan permission to test Job, but he had his limitations.

Satan could only go so far.

    I take comfort in that.  

And then Satan left the presence of the LORD.  Satan was just given permission to bring down Job.

Satan thought he could destroy Job-

God knew he could not.

God knows me too.  He knows my heart; He knows my strengths and my weaknesses.  He knows when to try and test me, and He knows when I need a rest from the tests.  

Sometimes when I am going through something, I think, 'Really, right now?"  But God's timing is always perfect.  His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways are not my ways.

In trials, I must always be mindful of God's love for me and that He knows what is best for me.

    I need to Trust Him and remember that He is in control.

        I am protected on all sides until He sees fit to mold me more into His image.

            But that's just me!

"Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me."  Psalm 139:5