God's “Hedge” of Protection in Spiritual Warfare

Over the past two days of our daily meditations, we have explored what the Bible says about the unseen realm that intersects with Earth. There are not only angels of God in that hidden realm, but also evil angels and demons. God has provided us with protection against evil spirits through an unseen barrier. In a future meditation, we will discuss the armor of God given to Christians for their protection against the enemy's attacks, but for now, let's focus on the natural “fence” or “hedge” (Job 1:10). This barrier prevents the enemy from making inroads into people's lives.

⁶One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. ⁷The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." ⁸Then 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." ⁹"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. ¹⁰"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. ¹¹But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." ¹²The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger" (Job 1:6-12; emphasis added).

Satan aimed to destroy Job’s testimony of God's faithfulness, and for reasons not stated, God allowed the hedge of protection to be removed, permitting Satan’s attack on Job. The enemy plans how to break down the natural barrier that shields our soul from fear, bondage, and demonic control. When we engage with drugs or the occult, this "hedge' gradually diminishes or is cut back, leading to seeing and experiencing things that are usually unseen.

The enemy, Satan, grants occult power to those who obey his will. Mystical power may draw in those seeking it, but it always comes with a cost. Every type of evil supernatural power has a hook, tying a person into satanic bondage. When we obey our enemy and carry out his will, oppression and darkness will follow. Drugs are another way to break down that barrier to experiencing different states of reality.

Satan never offers such experiences without drawing those seeking in darkness closer to him. God, through His Spirit, also empowers His people to move in supernatural power if we are willing to be used by Him. However, when God leads His people to act under His authority, there is never a trap. It brings joy and peace to the heart to be used by God. Unlike walking with the enemy, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is always liberty and freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Chip Ingram, the author of a book called “The Invisible War,” states, "There is a visible and an invisible world that intersects, and we live in that intersection."^[1] Sometimes, people may see things in the unseen realm when they are sick. There are also reports of people seeing into the other realm as they die. For example, Svetlana Stalin, the daughter of Josef Stalin, the ruthless leader of Russia from 1922-1953, accompanied her father while he was terminally ill and said she would never sit beside an unbeliever who was dying again. She said that he went into hell, kicking and screaming. Voltaire, the famous critic of Christianity, was said to have died crying out in torment. As for those who know God, C.M. Ward said, “No Christian has ever been known to recant on his deathbed.” Keith Thomas.

This shortened meditation is from the series, The War Against Satan and Demons; the study is: 1. The Hidden World Beyond Our Reality

^[1] Chip Ingram, The Invisible War, Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Page 39.