Keeping the hedge up – Part 2

In our Christian walk, we face challenges that sometimes might put us in a situation where we seem to question the integrity of Gods promises concerning us. Following Jobs comments, I think in my opinion, he questioned the validity of God’s promise of protection, provision and security. You might say, how did he question the validity of God’s promises? By uttering words that were not consistent with his covenant relationship with God. Now before we take a dig at Job, let us look at ourselves, actions and how we would respond in times of challenges, how we can actively engage in working alongside God in keeping the hedge up? So let us investigate from biblical texts, ways keep the hedge up and not be exposed to the harsh attack of the enemy.

• Job 6:24 (NLT), “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue, and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” Our words causes us to advance, stand still or regress. Job was asking the Lord to show him where he had erred; and you notice, Job erred in words, and the way you and I can err in words is by questioning the integrity of God’s promises concerning us. Before we speak, we should always consider, consider, consider. Words are spiritual, they carry the very essence of the one speaking it; and that is why God said n His word from the book of Psalm 89:34 (NLT) “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.” So you can see that the Lord is mindful of words and places value on what He says. Watch this, the Lord speaks only what He means and means only what He says, therefore, before we speak, let us ensure we mean what we say; and this can come about when we have God’s word, else I would suggest for you to either keep silent or hold your peace, and let the word of God go to work on your behalf. Scripture tells us,  “Let us not weary the Lord with our words.” In other words, the hosts of heaven are wearied when we speak fear filled and unbelieving words. Another wonderful biblical example is Zechariah the Priest of the Lord. Luke 1:5-25 (NIV) “…I am Gabriel, I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not be able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” I believe the Priest Zechariah was made to be mute in his speech, because there was every likelihood for him to speak words that will or could have compromised the integrity of the word the Angel brought to him from God. Now, there is a time to never ever keep silent; and that is when the enemy speaks contrary words over you, brother, sister that is the time to open up your mouth and declare God’s word over your life, your finances, your health, your city, your children including all that concerns you saying, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, I have much more than enough, God’s grace is exceedingly abundant and overflowing in my life; are you with me thus far? Hallelujah, glory to God.
• Numbers 13:1-33. Maintain a good report inspite of…? And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel…” The spies were already given their terms of reference, “Land of Canaan which I am giving to the children of Israel.” The land was already scoped out for them, and all they had to do was to carry out further due diligence for them to behold the promises of God. Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants), and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Only Caleb and Joshua came back with a good report; the report being consistent with what God had already promised them from Numbers 13:1. The bible says in Isaiah 53:1 (NLT) “Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?” Watch this, the Lord gave them a message, and only two believed, and who ultimately entered into the promised land, whilst the other ten died and did not possess the promise. In other words, a promise from God can and will always be given through His word or the prophet, but laying hold of the promise is another thing. Notice, the bad report unsettled the children of Israel, “So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night, and all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron…” Numbers 14:1-5. Amazing, is it not? That a bad or negative report caused so much heartache to the hearers such that they thought about going back to Egypt. Let me ask you, what report have you received lately? Do not complain to God, trust His word and hold on to the promise He earlier made to you. I believe it is important for us to embrace God’s word independent of our human reasoning or intellect. Every word from God has a specific purpose, hence Isaiah 55:10 (AMPC) says “For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, so will My word be which goes out of My mouth; it will not return to Me void (useless, without result), without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter fro which I sent it.” Hebrews 10:23 (AMP), “Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful (to His word).

Keep your hedge up, stay on the word, hold your peace, and maintain a good report. God’s blessings, favor and exceedingly abundant grace rest upon you and give you deep insight in the Name of Jesus.

We write You read Be encouraged.