November 15: WEDGES AND HEDGES

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?” Job 1:8

This world is under the oppressive sway of Satan’s governing principles, which thrive upon confusion, misunderstandings, and chaos. But his arrogant response (v.7) to the LORD’s question “From where do you come?” sparked our opening verse above, for God looks upon the heart and knows every motive therein. In essence, He is pointing out to Satan that Job doesn’t live by the convoluted governing principles that Satan brought into the world. Now brace for the accusation:

Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge 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. Job 1:9b-10

Satan fills the self-appointed role of hammering wedges into good relationships, for he knows that the only reason one-third of the angels left their proper domain (Jude 6) and followed him out of Heaven is that they were drawn into his deceptions (see Revelation 12:4 and Isaiah 9:15). In fact, there is not one single honest and genuine love relationship between any of Satan’s followers (angels or people) and Satan himself.

In our Bible text above, he accuses Job before God by saying that Job reveres God only because of the “goodies” that God has placed in his life. The fact that Satan acknowledges God’s blessings and protection in Job’s life subtly reveals that there have been previous attempts by Satan to bring harm to Job and his family.

As we move toward a season of thanksgiving, let us pause right here to consider those blessings in our lives that have been divinely protected. It is the grace of God—the sheer unmerited favor—behind every good thing that we are blessed with. In humility, may each of us cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving within our hearts, not only for those things that we desire and appreciate, but also for the faith-building tests and trials that He allows.

Check in with God on all of your relationships. Make your relationship with Him the top priority, and be pro-active in making your earthly relationships better. Identify and remove the wedges that Satan has sought to drive. In mercy, allow the unmerited favor that you have received empower you to extend unmerited favor to others. This may seem too hard or impossible, but stick with God who asks, “Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27b). You know the answer!

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4