And God Says, "I've Got You Covered!"

"Today's Devotion" For October 22, 2005

Read: Isaiah 60:1-9; Psalm 27

AND GOD SAYS, "I'VE GOT YOU COVERED!"

"See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you." (Is. 60:2)

How many times haven't we heard that standard old phrase, "I've got you covered?" It's a phrase full of a variety of different meanings and is used in a myriad of circumstances. We might hear it spoken by a bank robber or a sheriff in an old Western movie. It could be spoken by an accomplice agreeing to back up a story in order to avoid a problem with the law. At others times we might hear someone say "I got it covered" - same principle - when picking up the tab in a restaurant. We might also hear "I've got you covered" when someone is acknowledging their understanding of the facts of an issue. On the other hand, we might also hear someone say, "I've got you covered" when they're trying to put us off and don't really care about what we might be saying or doing.

In a world full of sin, "I've got you covered," could reasonably describe Satan's intense efforts to cover us with the consequences of Sin. He has done his level best to drag this world down into the depths of Hell, covering the world with the darkness of Sin and unbelief. It doesn't take too much to see his handiwork among us Because of Sin in our lives we're often guilty of playing into Satan's hands and getting caught up in doing things that show a disdain for God's Will, but a love for sin and unbelief, because, as some have noted, "It's so much fun." Such reasoning has led to broken marriages, broken homes, drunken driving, rape, and rioting, among a host of other transgressions. A couple of years ago the nation and the world were repulsed by the images coming out of Abu Gharaib prison in Baghdad where soldiers were mistreating Iraqi prisoners with apparent enjoyment. Just recently charges have again been levied against some U. S. Forces in Afghanistan claiming that some of our troops have desecrated human bodies by burning them as a warning to Taliban insurgents (note: this is under investigation). Whether these charges are true or not, events such as these remind us that Sin’s power is such that it can take hold of us at any time and lead us to do things that are against all we believe.

In the face of such realities of living with Sin, hope becomes a vital commodity. By God's grace we read Isaiah's words which give us hope in the face of the darkness of Sin in the world. His words assure us that God watches over His people and His glory shines in the darkness, bringing light and life to a lost world. By the power of His grace, mercy, and love in the Messiah to come, God assures His people through Isaiah of the saving work of Jesus, the Christ. He is the One who alone can lead people out of the darkness and despair of Sin into the marvelous and glorious light of God's grace. God has covered all who believe in Jesus, with the blood of the "Lamb of God who takes away the Sin of the world." When God says "I've got you covered" He is assuring us who believe in Jesus that our sins are forgiven and we have the sure and absolute assurance of eternal life with Him in heaven. Our sins are no longer visible to God because we are covered with Christ's righteousness. Our sins have been placed on Christ and removed from us. When God says "I've got you covered" we can be confident He's not putting us off of ignoring us, but truly taking a different look at us because of Jesus.

Prayer: Gracious Father, I can't thank You enough for having covered my sins with the blood of Christ. In Him I am a forgiven and redeemed sinner. You have made me one of Your very own children, covering me with Your love, grace, and mercy through the blood of the Lamb. Help me to live my life accordingly, sharing Your love with others and boldly proclaiming Your salvation to the world. In Jesus' precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.