We have a dog in our neighborhood that’s a fence jumper. Every so often, even with the gate shut, he just appears in the backyard. He’s friendly enough, but we worry what might happen if he gets in when our two little dogs are out.
We thought we had the problem solved. Our super-athletic trespasser liked to jump the one section of our fence that was four feet tall, so we replaced it with a six foot wooden privacy fence. We now have a tall fence around our whole backyard. “That should do it,” I told my wife.
But wouldn’t you know, one day we looked out and there he was: standing on the back patio laughing at himself in the window. What kind of dog gets over a six foot privacy fence?!
This has to be yet another metaphor for life. We build fences around our circumstances to control them. And then, when something breaches our puny perimeter, we build better ones.
Yet sometimes, no matter how hard we try, IT still happens. They make LifeProof cases for phones, but not for the human condition. And when something jumps the ‘fence’ and laughs at itself in the window, it’s easy to feel violated, unsafe and unsure about the future.
Enter God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, who most certainly understands humans.
He became one.
Psalm 139 makes it crystal clear: the Lord knows more about you and me than all the data mining companies of Silicon Valley combined!
As it turns out, He’s a fence builder too.
You hem me in–behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5
King David doesn’t mention sideways, but surely the Almighty has that covered as well.😀🙏
From the sounds of Psalm 139, and other similar scriptures, God never looks in on one of His children and says, “Well, would you look at that?!”
So friend, can we agree that whatever we’re facing right now—be it good, bad or ugly—God saw it coming and knows what to do about it?
His Word is His bond.
Here are a few go-to promises I turn to when I’m ‘on the fence’ about God’s protection and provision:
“What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
Please share your favorite scripture about God’s watch-care over us, if you’d like.
For another story about setting boundaries, that also involves an uninvited animal on our property, please see “Cat”astrophe.
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
21 responses to “Dog Gone It!”
Thank you, Matcha. I value your feedback, and I’m glad you found the post applicable. I notice you have a new post up. I’m headed over to read some Matcha right now!
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My husband had to tear down a bunch of fences that I had built when we first met. He managed to get past all of them and that’s the reason I am where I am today.
I read your post once and thought, “That’s a really good post.”
But then I read it a second time and was able to apply it to my life.
Now, that’s a great post.
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Thanks, Tina. I appreciate your feedback—it’s the breakfast of champions!😀.
Yes, being surrounded by God is never a bad thing. Blessings.
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Hi David! Your posts are so good. They read easy and shine a positive light. I just used that verse about God hemming us in quite recently. Sometimes life makes us feel hemmed in. This isn’t such a positive feeling, but the way that God’s love hems us in sets us free. It’s such a good reminder that He protects us and goes with us on all sides.
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Thanks, Gary. Thanks for the scriptures. It’s always a good thing when God has you surrounded!
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Good one David. Adventure Dog probably has many stories round the area.
A couple of verses I memorized as a kid have been a go to many times in life. PSM 125: 1-2 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Vivian. We are indeed dog lovers—even high jumping Pit Bulls!
Ah, Psalm 57! Our soul takes refuge in God until the storm is past.
Blessings.
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Great post and dog! I sometimes wonder if animals sense good people……they seem to have a radar for finding them no matter the obstacles. I love psalm 57:1.😃
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Oh I love that verse! I think it’s from Psalm 34. I’m glad you loved the story, Dee. Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings.
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I loved every bit of this story, David. The moral shared is so rich!
My verse contribution is one from the Psalms, “This poor man cried and the Lord heard, and delivered him out of all his troubles.” This is certainly a promise we can count on – the Lord ALWAYS delivers.
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Agreed, Jeffrey. God help us. Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing a great scripture verse!
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Be strong & of good courage; do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. Fences: It has been argued that 9/11 was not about American security failing. It was God withdrawing His hedge of protection from a country that has shown Him the door. It’s eerily similar to Israel’s multiple warnings until they were taken to Babylon.
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Thanks, Crystal!
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1 Kings 17:21-22. The story of Elijah and a resurrection miracle.
“Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the LORD, ‘LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!’
The LORD heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.”
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Brilliant 😉👍
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Challenge accepted. I think I will entitle the post, “The 360 degree God.” Thank you, brother!
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Thank you, Manu. I love that verse. Why didn’t I think of that? Thankfully, I have blogger friends!
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You are most welcome David, in my opinion when someone blesses me as your posts do it is right to make sure they know it. On reflection I am sure the reference to God shielding us is in my notebook somewhere. I think it is repeated in the psalms? If God has touched you with that verse David, maybe it would be right for you to write the post on it brother?
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Hi David, I enjoyed the post. However high we build our so called fences, our true protection comes only from Him.
One verse that came to mind is Heb 13:6
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
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Thank you, Alan. I appreciate the feedback and the great scripture verses! The one about God’s shield protecting us from all directions is an especially touching picture. You should turn that idea into a post, if you haven’t already. God’s best to you, brother.
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David what are your neighbours feeding that dog!? 😂
This is a great description of our human failings, that only God can protect us in our trials. There are great references in the psalms for such events such as “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” Psalm 34:6. But a great one that came to mind for your post is Psalm 3:3 “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.” Do you see that? His shield protects us from ALL directions!
I really enjoyed this post, thank you and God bless you brother.
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