Among Christians, especially conservative Christians, there is much debate over the merits of women wearing head coverings. Some will even use the word apostasy attached to the non-wearing of them. I, however, want to talk about a more important covering, if you will. It is the blood covering of Christ on a person who is a believer in Him.
I was having a bad week recently at work. I was not meeting the productivity requirements and my boss was talking to me each day about it. That, along with new programs and my new supervisory role got me down. I was feeling like a real failure. I even wrote on Facebook the fact that I needed “help”.
I had many wonderful encouragements from family, friends, and my pastor. I prayed during the evening about it. The next morning I awoke early and was not able to go back to sleep before I needed to get ready for work. I turned on the TV and watched a preacher whom I never spent much time watching before. One statement he made seemed directed toward me and my condition of worry.
I don’t know the exact wording, but it went something like this. “God is very powerful. He can see through walls, and into the hearts of men. He is all powerful...but He is not able to do one thing.” This statement sparked my interest. What in the world would God not be privy to? Who was this preacher and what nonsense was he going to spout off?
I was ready to tune this preacher out and turn him off, when he made the following statement. He said, again I paraphrase, “God cannot see the failures and sins of a person bought and covered by the blood of the Lamb”. In other words God cannot see any sin or failure in me when I’m in Christ and covered by His blood.
What a wonderful feeling I had! God cannot see my failures and sins when I bring them under the blood of Jesus. I am a success in His eyes. I asked my wife about this preacher’s statement. She wisely stated that it is like the passing over of the death angel when the Israelites put the sacrificed lamb’s blood on the lintel of their doors. The Israelites were downtrodden and I would guess many of them felt they were failures. But by faith in God they followed God’s command given through Moses and their firstborn sons were saved. What a wondrous picture of the power of the covering of blood. I’m now beginning to know the meaning of the saying, “I’ve got you covered.”
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)
See you next time,
Arlen
4 comments:
So VERY encouraging, Arlen! Love it.
Thanks Jo. It really helped me to think about the covering of the blood of Jesus, and that when we are covered God cannot even see our sins and failures! I think it also makes what others think about us seem not quite so important.
I DID see this when you put it on Facebook...this is great stuff, Arlen. I hope things are going better for you at work. I know from experience how very stressful that is, and yet - we have a wonderful Helper.
And congratulations, oh my, on Dee's latest accomplishments. That encourages the rest of us to keep going!
Thanks for the comment Rhonda. Things are still stressful, but I don't feel as stressed. I have a new worker that has really been a blessing. When I was stressed it made me not appreciate the blessings as much, such as the blessing of having a great family, home, and providing an extra blessing such as Dee's book contract.
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