“Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side?  You have blessed the work of his hands.” Job 1:10

His Hedge

The Lord has been preparing my heart with a verse from Psalm 139:5: “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Another version says, “You hem me in.”

It gives me such sweet confidence to know the Lord goes before me and follows me—He hems me in. I’m not alone. He has prepared the way before me, and He comes along behind me. I’m surrounded.

I sometimes pray for the Lord to put a hedge of protection around me. I picture in my mind big tall bushes, a hedge, all around me as I go through the day, trusting that God is keeping things from getting through to me.

The day I went for the biopsy surgery, I carried this image with me. I felt the Lord’s presence “hemming me in.” There was confusion when I arrived, as they didn’t have a bed for me. Once a bed opened up, they had to rush to get me to the surgery on time. The biopsy turned out to be quite painful, but it didn’t take long. The whole process from when I left home until I returned was eight hours. I was sore afterwards, quite exhausted from all that happened, but  I was at peace.

I felt carried through the day. I kept looking for angels, but didn’t see any—but I had some sweet nurses, doctors, and orderlies taking care of me.

“Let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy” (Psalm 5:11).

The Lord’s presence went before me, followed me, and I felt His peace and blessing with me. I’m especially grateful for that on days when I miss Floyd so much. Thank you for your prayers that cover me. I’m so grateful!

“Father, put Your hedge of protection around us as we confront the hardest things in life. Let us know Your presence when we feel alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”