The Covering - Martin Wiles

The cherubim spread their wings over the Ark, forming a canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles. 1 Kings 8:7 NLT

Without it, I feel exposed, vulnerable, afraid.

When I was a young child, I wanted cover. Even when I stayed with my maternal grandparents in their old farmhouse that had no air conditioning. The summers sizzled, but I had to have a sheet covering part of my body. 

At fifty-eight years of age, I still want cover. With a house that has central air and heat, I could adjust the temperature so I wouldn’t need cover, but I have to have it.

And when camping, I want cover. During the hot summer nights, I snuggle in the sleeping bag rather than lay on top completely exposed. As if the sleeping bag would protect me from a bear.

Having cover over my tent is also a good idea, especially if I purchase an inexpensive one that is water resistant rather than waterproof. Putting a tarp over the tent keeps the water out should it rain. I’ve had enough experiences to know what happens when the tent doesn’t properly shield water. A soggy sleeping bag, mattress, and clothes aren’t enjoyable. Neither is mopping up water from the tent floor. Or feeling the drops splattering against my face while I’m trying to sleep.

King Solomon knew the importance of cover, too. After building the Temple, he had the priests and Levites bring in the various pieces of furniture that would occupy it. Among them was the Ark of the Covenant—the holiest piece that contained the Ten Commandment tablets given to Moses and the piece that represented God’s presence. The priests placed it in the Holy of Holies under the wings of two cherubim whose wingspan reached from one side of the room to the other. They covered the presence of God.

As His children, God promises to cover us. When life is confusing, disappointing, and depressing, and we can’t see which way we need to travel. When the bills are more than the income, and we don’t know how we’re going to pay the rent, mortgage, internet, satellite, or electricity and water. When the relationship—or marriage—has gone sour and the door slams never to open again. Or when the children seem out of control, rebellious, and hopeless.

Whatever comes our way, God promises to cover us with wisdom, strength, hope, and peace.

Let God cover you, so you can face whatever comes your way.

Tweetable: Have you been covered by God?

Prayer: Father, we take the cover You provide so we can endure the trials of life.

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Covered with a Comforter - Martin Wiles

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John 14:16 KJV

Hot, sultry air circulated around the room and across my body. Still, I wanted a comforter.

My maternal grandparents lived in an old farmhouse with no air and barely any heat. Summers in the South Carolina Lowcountry are murderous. Humidity levels rise to almost one hundred percent. Sweat pours from just walking outside. No work required.

The inside of my grandparents’ house wasn’t much better. One lone circular fan perched between two double beds in the front room where my cousin and I slept when I spent summer weeks with them. Raised windows helped little. No air stirred. Screens didn’t keep mosquitoes out. They circled my head throughout the night, seeking a squirt of my blood to fertilize their eggs.

In spite of the miserable conditions, I longed for cover. I cannot sleep totally uncovered. So with feet and head hanging out, I covered my chest and endured the Lowcountry heat while fighting off mosquitoes. I needed cover from a comforter.

Jesus knew His disciples would need a comforter too. He was about to leave them. After His crucifixion and resurrection, He would ascend back to the Father. They would need His presence to carry on His work. Persecution would be rife. They’d be tempted to quit—to go back to fishing, tax collecting, and whatever else they did. And the comforter came to dwell permanently with them and all believers—on the Day of Pentecost when the church was born.

The comfort of God’s indwelling Spirit surpasses all other forms of comfort. He comforted the early believers as they faced ridicule, misunderstanding, temptations, persecution, and even death. He comforts believers today as we face similar situations.

God’s Spirit gives an unexplainable peace. In times of opposition or misunderstanding, giving up becomes easy. Even the strong disciple Peter went back to fishing after Jesus’ death. The Holy Spirit gives us power to carry on. He gives us the courage to take another step of faith, even when we can’t see where the path is leading.

This Comforter from God also teaches us when we don’t understand: God’s Word, our circumstances, others’ reactions. He shows us how biblical principles relate to life and gives us faith that God will work all elements of our life together for good.

When you need to be covered with comfort, don’t rely on anything else but God’s Spirit.

Tweetable: Whom or what do you look to for comfort?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the presence and power of Your Spirit who constantly lives with us. 

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