FLAMING WORD – P15
1 Samuel 17:1
“Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.”
Shocoh means hedge, and Judah means praise. In Judah, there is a “hedge,” God’s divine protection. The Bible says, “He that breaketh the hedge, a serpent will bite.” Israel had perverted her ways, and God was angry with them. As a result, the enemy invaded their land.
The Philistines, the enemies of the people of God, had encamped in Shochoh. Instead of God’s “hedge,” the enemy put up a camp—the enemy’s hedge.
The “hedge” of the enemy prevents advancement, limits progress, and restricts mobility. It prevents one from going forward in life. The enemy’s hedge is a destiny killer.
Ephesians 4:27
Neither give place to the devil.
Adam and Eve gave place to the devil by obeying his voice instead of God. They lost God’s “hedge,” His covering, and sought to cover themselves with fig leaves. They lost their place with God.
When we give the devil a place in our lives, we lose God’s defense and protection. We might still be dwelling in Judah (the church), but our praise is gone because of the oppressive presence of the enemy in our lives. Instead of peace and quietness, behold, oppression!
I pray for you, beloved, that you will not give the devil a place in your life. Don’t break the hedge of God’s love and divine protection by sinning. When the enemy comes in one way, may the overwhelming presence of Almighty God cause him to flee in seven ways. Amen.
Shalom.
Powerful Message, Mommy.