By Dr. David Cannistraci
Terrorists, weather disasters and financial
uncertainty have many people worried today. Here’s how you can live
under the covering of God’s protection while avoiding the confusion
of erroneous teachings.
We live in a world that seems ready to burst under
the rising pressures of natural and spiritual threats. Beyond the
strains of terrorism and natural disasters, our age-old adversary is
relentlessly leveraging his dark forces against us, knowing that his
time is short (Revelation 12:12b). Make no mistake: In these last
days, the enemy is targeting your family, your health and your
spiritual life as never before.
Despite the dangers, God’s people can live with an unshakable
confidence in the safety of His protection. Psalm 91:4 reassures us,
“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall
take refuge…” And Deuteronomy 33:12 declares, “The beloved of the
LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all
the day long...” If we’ll connect with His covering, we’ll never
have to fear the turmoil of our times.
“Curiouser and Curiouser”
Unfortunately, making sense of the issue of spiritual covering isn’t
easy. After studying the Scriptures on the subject, I spent some
time searching the internet. My head is still spinning! Controversy
and confusion have become attached to this issue like few things
I’ve ever seen. I was left feeling a bit like Alice trying to make
sense of Wonderland: Things just seem to be getting curiouser and
curiouser.
So what’s going on out there in the Christian world on this topic?
Prepare to be disturbed, and perhaps a little embarrassed.
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The “Covering for Cash” Approach: There
is a growing trend in many ministries toward paying for
spiritual protection. One well-known ministry offers your choice
of “three levels of covering” in exchange for monthly tithes and
offerings. I can become a “spiritual son or daughter” if I just
send in a check!
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The “He’s All I Need” Camp: Some decry
“the myth of spiritual covering” as unbiblical. Citing examples
of past abuses of authority, they contend there is no need for
any additional protection if Christ is in your life. I’m hoping
that means I won’t have to pay my health insurance premiums much
longer.
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The “Keep the Women in Their Place” Club:
A few seemed alarmed by an epidemic of error-prone women running
around “uncovered.” I hadn’t noticed, but was relieved by how
simple the solution was: wearing veils, keeping silent in
church, and obeying one’s husband. Lord, help us.
-
The “Safety in Numbers” Networks and
Fellowships: Others seem sincere in their desire to bring
leaders together for fellowship, mentoring and outreach. In
essence, these ministries offer to be a relational safe harbor
in stormy times. And judging by their number of people seeking
covering through them, the need is felt by many.
The muddled message out there seems to be, If you
believe the right revelations, join the right group, and do the
right things (especially with money), you’ll be spiritually covered.
But is any of this Biblical? What does God think of
the idea of spiritual covering?
Christ is Our Covering
The moment we receive Christ, a canopy of protection is stretched
out over our lives. We see this pictured in the Passover (Exodus
12:21-27). As the children of Israel prepared to flee Egypt, a
spirit of death was released against the firstborn of the land. The
only protection for Israel was the shed blood of a spotless lamb on
the doorposts of their dwellings. With the blood in place, they were
spared.
Today, Christ is our Passover Lamb (see 1 Corinthians 5:7). His
blood keeps us safe and secure. This is the glorious work of the
cross in our lives, and the inheritance of every believer.
We get another glimpse of the covering power of the blood in the
amazing story of a harlot from Jericho (Joshua 2:6-25). Rahab knew
it was inevitable that Israel would prevail against her own lost
city. So with legendary faith, she requested and received protection
during the invasion. The key to her protection was a red cord
hanging from her window which speaks again of the blood of Christ.
Though Jericho was destroyed, her family was spared through the
provision of the crimson cord.
The Power of Proper Positioning
But there’s a common thread of truth we cannot overlook in these
examples of Christ’s provision: Spiritual protection for God’s
people depends completely upon proper positioning. Even though the
promise of safety was made, nobody was safe unless they were in
place. Had the Israelites left their homes during Passover, or had
Rahab been anywhere but behind the crimson cord, they would not have
been covered. The same is true of Noah and his family during the
flood.
Position is important. The Psalmist wrote, “He that dwelleth in the
secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). The best umbrella is useless in a rainstorm
unless you are positioned under it.
Today, it’s essential for us to know how and where to come under the
full protection of Christ’s sacrifice. Our faith in Christ saves us,
but our cooperation with His provision is the key to everything
else. God is under no obligation to protect us when we resist His
direction, but He will guard those who are surrendered and in place.
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