Hemmed In

You hem me in — behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5

Today’s verse is a right old cheerful one. It sounds like God is hemming us in, locking us off, sealing us tight away from the world. One of the more literal Bible versions even says that God is ‘besieging’ us! But is that what He is doing? That is what He’s doing. There are two parts to this verse, and it’s best to hear them both as one. When we make a commitment not to sin, when we say “God, I reject evil and choose Your path”, we start an agreement with Him. For the rest of our lives (for better or worse, richer or poorer, etc.) He is going to help us fight off sin and lift us up to live a better life. He is going to help us bat away wrong thoughts. It’s going to be tough sometimes. If we start down a dodgy thought-route or action that is against Him, He’s going to shut us off from it. It is never to oppress us, not to abuse us, but only for our good and our proper freedom. You are going to get better. You are going to get wiser. But the hand that holds you up is the same hand that keeps you out of destruction’s path – be careful when you waver on its edge. And when you do waver, He never will. He loves you, forgives you, protects you—always. He hems you in and lays His hand upon you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for hemming me in to protect me from going down the wrong paths. In Jesus’ Name, Amen