We don’t realise the significance of shelter until we go without it and refuge can seem like a standard normality for many of us until we lose it. This season has really helped to remind me not to take for granted our Holy covering because as children of the King we have been completely submerged in the Blood that cleanses and renews. The sacrifice at Calvary was not done in vain so let us never lose our wonder for the precious blood that continues to cover you and me. Because the fact of the matter is we cannot boast in anything but Jesus Christ who purchased us with His perfect and precious blood which pardons, preserves and protects…
Pardoned
Ezekiel 16:1-14 gives us an amazing depiction of the journey of being covered and adorned. God sees us, even when we are in our mess and we feel uncovered, naked and ashamed. A repentant heart always urges Jesus to intercede for us and silence the accuser. And for this very reason Love Personified willingly gave Himself to encourage us to thrive and go beyond the seat of forgiveness and into the realm of royalty. Here you not only see the underserving, unmerited, unfailing and unending characteristics of grace but you also return to the higher place of thinking where you are clothed in fine silk, adorned in precious jewellery and wear a beautiful crown on your head. So keep your head up young queen because you wouldn’t want your crown to fall.
Preserved
When the storms are raging and you are constantly being bombarded with messages to expose and uncover it serves us well to look at the honour that comes with being covered by a God who is not limited by our flaws. As far as He is concerned the old you is dead and gone, He looks at you in admiration of who you are becoming, holds your hand through the journey and preserves you until your appointed time comes. There is nothing wrong with sitting in the seat of preservation in silence; your testimony is not limited to how loud you shout or even how much you render publicly. God covered and preserved you for His glory; His glory is creative and will be manifested so allow that outpouring to be as unique and personal as you. And just as you are being honoured and preserved let us extend that same grace to those around us, because there is nothing more encouraging than being seated with people who allow us to rediscover our voice and sing to our own melody.
Protected
Fear is the enemy’s greatest tool and he uses it to ensure we never fully walk in God’s divine purpose and power. Imagine the heights and depths we would reach if we lived as people of power who daily dispelled fear with perfect Love? Psalm 91: 4 reminds us of God’s faithful protection and His unshakeable promise to cover and shelter us. I want you to stop for a minute and just try to comprehend how great and vast God is – He is everlasting, omnipresent and created the entire universe; yet He is also concerned with each and every one of us and knows the number of hairs on our heads and bends His ear to listen to our heartfelt cries. Now if the knowledge that this amazing God is covering and protecting us doesn’t inject a sense of courage, bravery and confidence into us then I don’t know what can.
By Dorcas Payne