During World War II, the Nazi warplanes were constantly bombing Britain. The Principal of the Bible College, Mr. Reece Howells, called all the students together and began a prayer campaign. Many buildings around the college were destroyed in the bombing. The prayer of the students lasted for days and nights. It was a prayer for salvation from the bombing. However, the college itself was not damaged at all.

Some of the people who saw this said to Howells, “What great luck you had!” But Howells replied, “This is not luck. It was God’s great protection! And he built a hedge around us to protect us.” Does God build a hedge around us to protect us from dangers and troubles? Of course, he does! But we can’t see it because the hedge is invisible. Many of us don’t understand or realize that because God builds a hedge around us to protect us from the dangers, that is why all our affairs go smoothly. And the hedge He builds is always invisible.

Job was one of those God protected. In the book of Job1: 8-10 we read: “God asked Satan: ‘Have you considered my servant Job? Is there anyone on earth like him, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil?’ Then Satan asked: ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? You have put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, and you have blessed his work.'” Actually, in these words Satan reminds us of something that many of us forget: God always protects us.

God does not fail to protect us during our trials. Sometimes we experience hardship and suffering in our lives, but never should we think that God has abandoned us. We can only assume that it happens as part of God’s providence. That is what the story of Job shows. Satan, in order to test Job, withdrew many of the protections that God had given Job. As a result, Job lost his wealth, lost his children and servants. But Job never rejected God while he was overcoming the tragedies one after another.

Job said: “I know that my way is closed up like a door,” but his faith in God did not waver at any time. Job said: “I know that my justice is living and that the end will come upon me.” Job believed that it would happen, so, we see that God again richly blessed Job.

My dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, when we have difficulties and troubles in our lives, we should take refuge in God more than ever. Then we will definitely follow His guidance and follow His path. We will also receive protection. God’s protection is not something that can be achieved. However, we can prepare ourselves to receive that protection through Prayer. If we dedicate our lives completely to God and pray, we will surely receive that Protection from God. Put our Trust in the Lord always and He will build the Fence around us to protect us. Without His knowledge, nothing will happen to us, surely. Sometimes God allows us to suffer like Job, but that does not mean that He is abandoning us. He is still with us like God was with Job. The question is: Do we have that kind of tremendous faith and hope in God in those situations like Job had? Or do we fall down like helpless people and reject God? God’s love and mercy will never abandon us at any time—it is written in our hearts—that is the beauty of God’s love towards us.

God Bless us and Protect us always in His care.

Fr. Charley