Tags
Bible, clarity, communication, confused, covering, Family, God, Honor, Honour, John Bevere, Parents, Pastor, peace, Psalm 91, spirituality, undercover
During my freshman year of college, I contemplated leaving DC and heading to Bible college. As usual, I tried to make the decision on my own without consulting anyone. I honestly didn’t know what I should do. I knew I had a calling to ministry, and Bible school seemed like the best way to move forward, but I felt unsettled. I prayed and fasted while trying to decide, but couldn’t find peace either way. Everything became foggy in my head. While praying one afternoon, I felt the Lord impress on my heart to talk to my Pastor and tell him that I wouldn’t leave DC without his blessing. That night, while at the Pastor’s house for a prayer meeting, I did exactly that.
What happened next surprised me. When I got in the car to drive away, I realized that I had a new clarity about the future. I was certain that God wanted me to stay in DC, and that I would be here for a long time. No more confusion, no lack of peace! I knew without a doubt that I was right where I was supposed to be. The interesting thing about this transformation was that my Pastor had said nothing to me! My seemingly random profession “I won’t leave DC without your blessing” surely warranted no more than his awkward response. Yet that conversation had straightened everything out for me. I went to sleep that night anticipating the future with an unassailable peace. Only months later would I understand what had happened in that moment. By positioning myself to honor my Pastor, I had left a place of isolation and entered what I can only describe as a kind of covering. On my own, I lived in a world of confusion and uncertainty. A lone ranger with no bearings, I was often influenced by passing whims. Through this interchange with my Pastor, I had stumbled into one of the benefits of practicing honor—having a spiritual covering.
John Bevere discusses the concept of spiritual covering in his book, Under Cover. Psalm 91 teaches: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’” Under God’s covering, we’re protected. But Bevere asserts that we’re not truly under God’s covering unless we’re under the cover of His delegated authority. God has appointed certain people, like fathers, mothers, church leaders, and civil authorities, to cover us. When we run from those relationships, we run from God’s covering. (Romans 13:1) When we honor those relationships, we come under His protection.
- Better Clarity for Decision-making (Proverbs 3:6)
- More Power over Temptation (James 4:7 / Psalm 91:3)
- Understanding and Empowerment for your Purpose (Ephesians 1:18-22)
- Greater Peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
- Healing (James 5:14-15)
- Protection from Danger (Psalm 91)
- Greater Insight in to God’s Word (Mark 4:11)
Have you noticed the difference of spiritual covering? What does it look like to you?