BARRIER OF PROTECTION
Pastor Joel Bernardino – December 26, 2025
Job 1:10, “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?”
Today, I would like to talk about how God protects His children.
Everyone desires protection from danger—especially when it comes to our health, safety, family, and future.
In our passage, we clearly see what the Bible calls the hedge of God’s protection around Job.
Satan himself admitted that he could not touch Job unless God allowed it.
Important note:
Job’s hedge of protection covered his life, his family, and all his possessions.
WHAT IS THE “HEDGE OF GOD’S PROTECTION”?
To make it easier to understand, I will call it a “Barrier of Protection.”
• It is a spiritual barrier that Satan and his demons cannot penetrate.
• It keeps us safe and allows us to experience peace, stability, and blessing.
• This barrier remains as long as we walk in step with God.
WHAT IF THERE IS NO BARRIER OF PROTECTION?
Imagine:
• A house with no front door or gate.
• A door that exists but has no lock.
• During a pandemic, you go out without a face mask, freely mingling with people.
Illustration:
During COVID-19, barriers of protection included:
• Washing hands
• Wearing face masks
• Social distancing
Later, face shields were added, and healthcare workers had to wear full PPE.
In the same way, God’s hedge provides protection and safety. Because of this barrier, we can enjoy peace, comfort, and even prosperity, even in difficult times.
DO WE ALSO HAVE THIS BARRIER OF PROTECTION?
Yes, absolutely—God is protecting us.
• We are protected from illness, accidents, temptation, enemies, and loss.
• If something happens to us, it never happens outside of God’s permission.
• And we stand on this promise:
“All things work together for good for those who love God.”
Important note:
If we experience something painful or difficult, it does not mean God has abandoned us. It means He has allowed it for a purpose, and we must cooperate with Him so He can turn it into good.
THE BARRIERS OF PROTECTION AVAILABLE TO ALL CHRISTIANS
1. A BARRIER AGAINST UNBEARABLE TEMPTATION
1 Corinthians 10:13
“God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”
• No temptation, trial, loss, or hardship reaches you unless it has first passed through God’s hands.
• God knows what you can handle.
• This was true for Job.
Important note:
God does not send evil—but He makes sure that what comes is never too much for His child.
2. A BARRIER AGAINST ETERNAL DEATH
1 Peter 1:3–5
“You are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Believers can be confident in their salvation as long as they continue trusting Jesus as Lord.
That is why the enemy works so hard to:
• Deceive believers
• Discourage them through trials
• Tempt them into sin
• Make them focus more on problems than on God
Important note:
Trials and temptations are different, but they have the same goal—to turn us away from God, just as Satan wanted Job to curse Him.
LESSONS FROM JOB’S EXPERIENCE
• God does not always explain why we suffer.
• Sometimes, understanding is withheld—but God’s heart can always be trusted.
• God is good and will not abandon the righteous.
• When a believer falls into sin, it is not because God failed—it is because a choice was made.
Reminder:
We have eternal life. Stay in the Word. Stay faithful. Stay loyal to God.
3. THE LOVE OF CHRIST AS OUR BARRIER
Romans 8:35–37
“Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ.”
You can picture Christ’s love as a protective hedge surrounding your life.
• Trials will come.
• Tests will come.
• But nothing has the power to separate you from His love.
Important note:
No matter how great or how many our sins have been, God still loves us and desires to restore us and draw us back to Himself.
WHY DO HEDGES COME DOWN?
1. Sin
David survived many battles and family problems—but temptation defeated him.
Adultery and murder damaged his barrier of protection.
2. Unknown reasons
Some things in life happen without explanation.
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND WHEN THE BARRIER SEEMS TO FAIL?
1. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY
Watch your mouth.
• Job worshiped God even in pain.
“In all this, Job did not sin nor charge God foolishly.” (Job 1:22)
• There were moments when Job questioned God—but he never accused Him of wrongdoing.
Important warning:
It is wrong to say, “I forgive God.”
God cannot sin, and He cannot be wrong.
To forgive God is to imply wrongdoing—and that is a serious error.
You may tell God you are hurting—but never accuse Him.
2. WAIT IN FAITH
Job waited until God moved.
Job 19:25
“For I know that my Redeemer lives.”
• Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.
• Impatience leads to spiritual failure.
• Patience and trust lead to victory.
1 Peter 5:10
“After you have suffered a little while, God Himself will restore, strengthen, and establish you.”
3. FORGIVE THOSE WHO HURT YOU
Job 42:10
“The Lord restored Job’s fortunes when he prayed for his friends.”
Many people focus on Job receiving double—but miss when restoration began.
• It began when he forgave those who hurt and mocked him.
• Job prayed blessing, not revenge—and God blessed him.
Important note:
Job’s right response led to greater blessing and a rebuilt barrier of protection.
CLOSE
God provides a BARRIER OF PROTECTION for those who HONOR Him.
Notice how God described Job:
“Have you considered My servant Job?”
God does not place His divine barrier around everyone indiscriminately.
He looks for people who have surrendered their lives to Him as servants.
Do you want a divine barrier of protection in your life?
Then make it your goal to become a servant of God.
