Job 1:10
“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.”
We can sometimes forget the most obvious blessings. Because of the familiarity of God’s blessings, we often take them for granted when we should treat them as new every morning. When Satan responded to God’s challenge about Job’s spirituality, he pointed out three blessings that are often overlooked by many Christians.
First, Satan acknowledged that God built a hedge about Job. You must never forget that God is the One Who protects you. If every Christian remembered who protects them, they would never again lack the faith to step out to attempt great things for God. God has placed a hedge about you just like He did for Job. You need not worry about what Satan can do to you, or anyone else for that matter. The only way anything can get to you is only by the LORD’s permission.
Second, Satan acknowledged that God blessed the work of Job’s hands. In other words, God blessed everything that Job did. You will notice that God didn’t bless Job without working. God blessed him because he worked. You will never receive the blessings of God without working. God always blesses those who work. Too many Christians want God to bless them without having to work, but His blessings come to those who choose to work hard. My friend, God isn’t an entitlement God, but He is a rewarder of hard workers. You will discover that the harder you work, the more you will be blessed by God.
Third, Satan acknowledged that God increased Job’s substance in the land. The greatest retirement plan in which to invest is God’s retirement plan. God’s retirement plan is to bless the hard work of an individual by blessing their substance. When God sees that you don’t let His protection about you go to waste by working hard, He then chooses to bless your substance. You will find that the harder you work, the more God will increase your substance.
There are two lessons you can learn from this verse. First, pray daily for God’s protection and blessings on the work of your hands. Before you start your day, make the first act an act of prayer. You may be able to accomplish much without God’s help, but you will accomplish more through prayer with lasting results. A day should never pass that you don’t ask God to protect you from sin and its temptation, and to prosper the work of your hands.
Second, never forget from whence your blessings come. Satan knew that everything Job had was because of God’s help. Christian, don’t ever allow yourself to get to the point where you look at what you have and take credit for what God has blessed you with. God can take away His blessings as quickly as He sends them. The Christian who foolishly points to themselves for their prosperity and protection is tempting God to take it all away. One thing that can be said about Job is that he never lost sight that the LORD gave him what he had. Don’t let a little success cause pride to swell in your heart. Always give thanks to God both personally and publicly for what you have. The more you thank Him for His blessings, the greater chance you have of keeping them.