Parents will go to great lengths to protect and keep our children safe. History shows that as we know more, we are better able to protect them. For instance, my mother reminded me of a horrifying experience when I was about four-years old. Somehow the back door came open when she was backing out of the driveway, and I almost fell out of the car. During those times, child restraints like car-seats were very uncommon, and seatbelts were not required. Things have changed dramatically. As a society, we do a much better job of putting mechanisms in place to protect our children. Our parenting has evolved with more information and technological advances. With greater knowledge, we can gain more useful tools and have better systems in place for safety and well-being. We must see the employment of God’s Word in this same way.
The Word of God is the greatest treasure in all of creation. It contains all that we need to live a Godly life, and we must also know that God’s Word is life itself. 2Timothy 3:16(NLT) says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Jesus Christ and God’s work of salvation through him is the subject of the entire bible. The Word is God breathed, or the breath of God, and it educates us about God’s original intention for humanity. It is where we discover our identity and purpose. His Word teaches us about righteousness and bears witness of God’s nature and love for us. Everything we need to live a safe, secure, and bountiful existence can be found in God’s Word.
In Hosea 4:6, God tells us that His people are destroyed because they lack knowledge, and indeed they reject knowledge. Heavenly Father informs us of this because it is a condition that can be avoided. Through His Word, He has provided us with lifesaving, life-preserving truth, but He will not force us to read and study His Word. He has left this completely up to us. But it stands to reason that if we are interested in our relationship with God and if we want to spiritually grow and become stronger in Christ, we will seek Him above all things. Seeking Him above all things includes seeking to know more about Him through His Word.
Many of us would like to ignore what God teaches in Hosea 4:6, but that is an extremely costly mistake. Whenever we choose not to live by God’s principles and standards, we will live beneath our privilege and our lives will be exposed to the harm the enemy tries to cause. In John 10:10, Jesus Christ tells us that the devil is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And God warns us in 1Peter 5:8 (NLT), “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
Through Jesus Christ, Romans 8:37 declares that we are more than conquerors. Our Great Redeemer tells us that the Spirit of God within us is greater than the devil that is in the world. Heavenly Father has completely equipped us to stand strong regardless of any weapon formed against us, but we must put on God’s whole armor. A vital piece of this armor is the Spirit’s sword, which is the Word of God.
Psalm 62:6-7(NLT) says, “6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.” This is such a powerful scripture! It states clearly that we have an enemy that is out to do us harm, but God is our Rock, our Salvation and Mighty Fortress. Will we stay beneath His shadow and covering? Will our eyes be open wide, or will they be blinded by the devil with fear and doubt? We must cling to God in faith, and this requires us to stay in His Word, so that we stay in His Will.
In 2Chronicles 17, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was very successful because he followed the example of his father’s early years and refused to worship the idol god, baal. Instead, 2Chronicles 17:4 tells us he sought the Lord and obeyed God’s commands, so God established his control over the kingdom of Judah. The bible tells us Jehoshaphat was deeply committed to the ways of God and didn’t make a decision without consulting the Father first. Because of this, God blessed him with victory, wealth, and honor. Even when he partnered with Ahab, the king of Israel, in his pursuit to war against Ramoth-Gilead, God helped Jehoshaphat because of his faithfulness and obedience. Heavenly Father has not changed. He will do the same for us when we trust Him and seek His Word diligently.
There’s no sugar-coating it, life has its challenges. But Jesus Christ has won the victory over satan, and he did it because he is the Son of God! He pleased God, and he always followed Heavenly Father’s Word. Jesus Christ is the way. He showed us how life is to be lived and how victory is always won. Let’s follow the lead of our Big Brother, because when we do, we can weather any storm, defeat any adversity, and stay under God’s covering continually. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Stay Under God’s Covering” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.