WE HAVE A HEDGE OF PROTECTION AROUND US

Proclamation:

"Then The Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job?  There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.'  'Does Job fear God for nothing?' Satan replied.  '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.  But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.'" Job 1:6-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Job himself.  He reports that one day the angels presented themselves to The Lord and Satan was there with them.  God asked Satan, who had roamed the earth seeking whom he may devour, "Have you considered My servant Job?"  Satan's reply was that God had put a hedge of protection around him.  He said that believers only faithful to God as long as they prosper, take away their prosperity and they will reject God.  Then God allow Satan to test Job's faith.  Initially, Satan was only allowed to mess with Job's possessions, later he would affect Job's health.

Application:
Satan could only attack Job because he had God's sovereign permission.  He could not penetrate the “hedge of protection” that God had around Job until God allowed him to do so.  That "hedge" is all God does to protect us, and all Godly people have a "hedge" around them.  Bad things can happen to Godly people, but it is only a test of our faith.  The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of The Lord. (Job 1:21)  Satan's limited power is under God's omnipotent and unlimited power and control.  So, whatever you are going through, keep the faith, it's only a test.