Under Cover

‘The Lord spread a cloud above them as a covering
and gave them a great fire to light the darkness.’
Psalms 105:39

It can be so easy to minimise the importance of God's presence. It's not just meant to be a nice feeling or to provide comfort when we are struggling. His presence is also there to provide us with covering and protection.

The Israelites were led by the presence of God in the form of a cloud during the day and a fire by night. If they were to lose sight of this, they would become exposed and unprotected.

In the same way, it is so important to value the covering that the presence of God provides us. 

‘So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.’ 
James 4:7-8

It can be difficult to resist the devil's schemes but when we are submitted to God’s authority, he will equip us to stand strong. You can't receive God's full power and resources if you don't first submit to his authority.  

For Elisha to receive Elijah's mantle he first had to come under his leadership. He had to sacrifice his own agenda and allow Elijah to have influence over his life. Most importantly he had to stay close to him in order to receive the anointing.  

Yet, how often do we fail to do this with God? We decide to do our own thing, we come out from under the covering and we end up hurt and damaged.

We lose our sense of direction because we lost sight of his presence.  We thought the mantle of the leadership or the church was weighing us down, when really it was protecting us from getting burnt.

‘For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.’
Psalms 27:5-6

Don’t get me wrong, it isn't always easy to stay under the covering. Often times I just want to be independent and have more control and freedom.

BUT if you learn to embrace the presence of God and submit to God's authority, he will bless you and be your greatest advocate in every season.

‘But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.

For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor).
Psalms 5:11-12

I have seen too many people come out of alignment with the leadership God has placed them under. I have seen people make a plan and just think the presence of God will follow. I've seen people carry resentment rather than see the blessing in the covering. 

Yes it's going to be hard, it's going to test your character and faith friends. It's going to require humility and grace.

You're going to have to stay when God says stay and move when God says move. And it's not always going to be convenient. 

BUT I would much rather the covering of God's presence, than the pride of my own ambition. To know that the shield of his protection is surrounding me.

To know that when no one is seeing me, God is refining and empowering me. That if his presence isn’t coming, I’m not going.