What do the words ‘Under Cover’ mean to you?
One thing we think of is being under something such as a child hiding under blankets. During a storm, that could seem or feel like a place of safety for a child. A place of protection.
Another way of looking at it is like an undercover agent. What would be the benefits of an agent going ‘undercover’?
A) He would be protected
B) He could be a free agent in a possibly hostile area
So “Under Cover” could mean ‘protection’ and/or ‘freedom’ in just about any senario.
How does this apply to us as Christians?
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "[He is] my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
We are protected under God’s cover.
In Psalms it begins, “ He who dwells…”
Who is the ‘He” making reference to in that part of the passage? Who is under God’s cover?
The answer is found in the scriptures and we will be looking into the word and learning about what it means to be “Under Cover.”
Simply put, being under God’s cover means being under God’s authority.
When Adam and Eve were created, they were under God’s covering. After they sinned, what was the first thing they did?
They knew they were naked. They felt exposed, uncovered. They used leaves to make clothes to cover themselves.
Genesis 3:7
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
With their sin, they took themselves out from under God’s covering.
Authority is not something that everyone loves, but without it we are out from under great protection. Authority is not something to be feared or rejected.
Many of us, and those we know, have had past or present experiences with authority that have been negative.
Maybe some have been unnecessarily harsh or some authorities have been viewed as a hindrance.
Some believe that those in authority are ‘kill joys.’ All serious and no fun. Some feel they know better what is best for them, then those in authority over them. Sometimes the reality is that they have a good leader over them, they just don’t like how the authorities handle things.
How many have heard, or even said, “If I was in charge, things would be done differently. I would handle things this way instead of that, and things would be better.”
Many will say, “I’m just not going to submit to authority unless I first agree with it.”
How does God feel about all this?
Do we submit to unfair authority?
What if our authority is corrupt?
What if they tell us to do something we perceive is wrong?
What if they tell us to sin?
Where do we draw the line?
Why do we have to submit?
Are there benefits to submission?
Couldn’t we all just be led by the Spirit of God?
The word of God has specific answers to all these questions. We will be dealing with the root cause of many problems people currently face in the church.
What caused Lucifer to fall?
Rebellion
What caused Adam to fall?
Rebellion
What causes many to drift in their walk with God?
Rebellion
What’s scary is that most rebellion is subtle.
I will probably at times share John’s stories for clarity in some areas, as they impacted my life. Areas where you would think a person was in the right when in fact the opposite was true.
As we look at the truths about authority we can respond one of two ways.
1) We can become angry and defensive, and forsake the revelation we need, like Cain did in Genesis.
2) Or we can be humble and broken and let the pain and repentance raise us to another level of Godly character, like David in 2 Sam 12.
Through this difficult challenge we can gain the greatest freedom and protection.
Here is a story from John:
As a
child, right before I received my second grade immunization shot, a friend told
me how much it hurt. After hearing that I was determined to avoid the needle at
all costs. I fought with two nurses until they finally gave up. Then my parents
sat me down and explained to me what could happen if I didn’t get the
tuberculosis vaccine. I had already watched my sister die of cancer, so I knew
they wanted only my protection. I knew the shot would be somewhat painful, but
it would keep me from experiencing much greater pain from contracting a
dreadful and possibly deadly disease. Once I understood, I willingly went back
for the shot.
As we go through God’s truths, some things may be painful to hear or understand, but can save us greater pain down the road. And sometimes, what may seem harmful or painful, may just be God’s way of putting us in the right place to receive protection, blessing, or even another person’s salvation.
Content gleaned from Under Cover by: John Bevere http://www.johnbevere.com/