I want us to look at the plot and the plan of the enemy—how and where we can overcome him. I think we are ensnared by the devil because we don't understand his plan. We don't understand his attacks.

We need to recognize our power over him. God has made available to us a hedge (a stronghold) to protect us, our household, and our possessions.

I think that, at times, I've been very observant of how the enemy comes against me; yet there are times when it seems like he is very sneaky and gets in anyway. After he gets in, I can see I was really taken in by him.

It's necessary to have a counterattack ready to come against him. It takes less time when the attack is recognized at the very beginning to come against him at that time.

The Book of Job is probably the best example in the Bible of what goes on in the heavenlies between God and Satan; it is also an excellent example of Satan's activity on the earth.

Look at Job 1:6: "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them."

We know that Satan had been cast out of heaven; he no longer had a place there. The Bible says that when he tried to lift himself up and exalt himself above God, he was cast out and lost his position.

So why was Satan going to heaven at this point? It was because he had to appear before God periodically, according to God's command, to give an account of what he was doing and where he was going. He didn't go up there just because he liked to see God and have a little visit with Him. He hates God and he hates the people of God.

God said,  "Satan, where have you been? What have you been doing?"

"Well, I have been going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down in it."

We know that when the Bible talks about evil spirits being cast out of a man—they walk to and fro looking for a body they can enter. They love to go back to the place where they were because they were very comfortable.

The Bible tells us about Satan. He goes about as a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  There is a restlessness in Satan and his demons.

Have you ever had a restlessness come upon you? The Bible says that the wicked are restless. It is an attack of the enemy when you are restless and enter into anxiety and worry, so Satan was engaged in typical satanic activity, walking to and fro.

Then the Lord said, "Hast thou considered My servant Job? That there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and eschews evil."

Then Satan said, "Oh yes. Does Job fear You for nothing? You have made an hedge about him, and not only about him, but You've made an hedge about his house and everything he has.  You've blessed the work of his hands and his substance increases in the land. If You would put forth Your hand and touch all he has, then he would curse You to Your face."

Notice this: God does not put forth His hand to hurt mankind. This is where the whole picture gets distorted. Everything that happened to Job, Job blames on God. Why is this book in the Bible? To show us that Satan is the one who kills, steals and destroys—not God.

Then God said, "No, I won't, but you can do what is in your power to do, and I'll put it in your hands." And Satan attacks Job with disasters and diseases and so forth.

What happened? Job didn't have anyone to stand in his gap. If he had not had a hole in his hedge, Satan could not have entered it and attacked!

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
(Job 3:25)

Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.  How forcible are right words!
(Job 6:24-25)

Job was asking God to show him where he made his mistake. It was a gap in his hedge!

What Is A Hedge?
Let's look at the term "hedge." We need to know what a hedge is. How do you build a hedge and keep it free of holes? The hedge around a Christian is God's stronghold around him. Satan wants to find a hole in the hedge so he can come in and attack you.

If your hedge is strong, he may come against it, but he cannot come through it to get to you.  Your hedge should be around you, your household, and your possessions.

God needs people who will stand in the hedge for someone else. If there is a gap in the hedge, they are standing there saying, "Satan, you cannot come in and attack this."

God says in His Word that if we have a hole in our hedge, someone can come and stand in that hole for you so the devil cannot come through it.

The following scripture really strengthens this: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" (Ezek. 22:30).

God is looking for people to not only stand and have their own hedge complete, but to stand for others—for nations, for peoples, for situations—anywhere we see a hole.

God is looking for people who will come in and stand in that gap and say, "Satan, you cannot do that. I'm drawing a line, and you cannot cross it." You can stand in faith for somebody else's hedge. Don't ever forget it!

Source: Standing In The Gap by Marilyn Hickey
Excerpt permission granted by Marilyn Hickey Ministries