On Being Hedged in by God

Whom God has hedged in. (Job 3:2b)

Job 3:17-23, 42:10-12a, 13:15; Ps. 32:6-7; Ps. 33:20; Isa. 26:3, 40:31; Acts 16:6-7

What Is God Saying?

Job is a blend of deep complaints and elevated thoughts. It is perhaps the oldest writing in the Bible and deals with one of the oldest subjects of man, Why do the righteous suffer? or Why do bad things happen to good people? or I try to do right, why am I treated wrongly?

Job was wealthy in flocks and herds. He was well-known and respected. But his world came crashing down around him. His grief was real and almost unbearable. His friends (the word is used loosely) argued that he suffered because he sinned; he brought it on himself. Behind a facade of success and respectability, he must have done something bad. So the friends argued. Job protested to the contrary. They got nowhere in their philosophical bantering, and then God intervened.

Job came to see his suffering as an integral part of God’s plan. It was not evil, not absurd, not wasted, just God working through all circumstances. Job finally accepted his suffering, saying, ‘I know that thou canst do all things and that no purpose of thine can be thwarted’ (42:2). He prayed for his friends (42:10) instead of arguing with them. Then, Job's fortunes were reversed and ‘the Lord gave him twice as much as before.’

How Does This Apply To Us?

God always wants to give us the best, and there are times when God needs to hedge us in. He locks us in as a ship is locked into a canal, to lift us to a higher level and more freedom. When God hedges us in, it is to set us free. Only as we are hedged in by God, can we taste the joys of real living. Only as we are disciplined in His wise, holy love can we attain the stature of the fullness of Christ. Only as we fear Him, and Him alone, can we be free from all other fears.

Pray With Me

Blessed are those who feel the imprisoning arms of God, for they shall be free. Hedge me in, O God. Help me be willing to accept Your confining disciplines so life may flow in abundance. Then, in the soul's full deliverance, in the glory of Heaven, and the beauty of the Savior's presence, I will praise You for the love that hedged me in for a while to set me free forever.

In Jesus' name Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

Prayer is the best time to feel the joy and freedom of being hedged in by God. It is the time when we stand still to move on. It is the time when we remain quiet so we will know when and how to speak. It is the time when we can still the noise of the world and listen to the quietness of the ages. It is a time to get lost to be found. In prayer let God hedge us in to set us free in life.