Covered By God Nina Anderson
A global pandemic, numerous ongoing epidemics, social injustice, political corruption, financial uncertainty, and persecution seek to threaten the peace of mind of members of the body of Christ daily.
There’s a laundry list full of challenges we will face in this life without any of the prior issues mentioned creeping into our journey. What shields us from things that seek to oppress us and keep us out of accomplishing the purpose God has for us is His divine covering.
"God's Covering" is an expression which describes the spiritual protection and nurture which God provides for all those who are in a covenant relationship with Him. (God’s Covering: A Place of Healing, David Cross).
Like the faithful God He is, His covering is displayed in both word and action (Exodus 34:11-16). It’s a promise reinforced in both testaments of the Holy Bible and the most precious promise we have and can receive is His Son, Jesus. God’s promise of covering is extended to those who draw close to Him (Proverbs 18:10). It is also important to note that God’s covering is for fulfillment of His purpose and not selfish ambition. Simply put He is God Almighty (Genesis 17:1), He will not lie (Numbers 23:19), and He will watch over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).
As Black History Month is commemorated, and we assess the past to see how far we’ve come, examine where we are, and estimate how far we still must go, it is imperative we reconcile that the same God who covered and delivered the Egyptians from Pharoah is the same God who looks down and sees the atrocities that have occurred and continue to take place in the land today. Admittedly it can be difficult to see the righteous hand of God when surrounded by suffering, hurt, anger, pain, and senseless acts of violence. We also have something to reckon with that the generations before us didn’t have, the added element of real-time footage. The perpetuating visuals of modern-day lynching at the hands of other races and those in our own community find us wherever we are.
The images are haunting, and we wrestle with our visceral emotions because as believers we know God’s covering was somewhere in all the chaos. On the other side of the token there are unbelievers who wrestle with, their emotions and don’t have the hope we have as sons and daughters in the kingdom of God. We must harness our feelings with the truth of God’s word and His more recent displays of His coverings in our lives. After all, as the bride of Christ, we represent our bridegroom. You never know who you can get delivered and set free from unbelief or negative perspectives about disheartening acts of violence.
Before we get too far in the weeds, I want to be abundantly clear that the enemy’s goal is to have you dismayed with all types of worry….
Worried about financial security!
Worried about end times and whether you and your family will survive the coming tribulation!
Worried about whether this will be the day someone’s body is invaded by COVID!
Worried about whether your relatives will be safe doing everyday run of the mill tasks or will someone take their life simply because of the color of their skin!
Worry, torment, restlessness, and fear await you in the pit Satan wants to enslave you in. Why? Because worrying keeps you from focusing on God’s promise of present day covering and from fulfilling purpose.
I wish this could merely be a post about God’s covering and what He’s done for black people. But I could not write with such a limited scope when God’s promises apply to all of those in the kingdom, not the culture. Respectfully, we are to acknowledge all of what has happened in our black history and examine what is true (Philippians 4:8-9) so that we have hope for the work we still have left to do. Let’s honor the lives of those before us by focusing on how they benefitted from God’s covering and how His covering can do the same today as we each seek to fulfill God’s purpose spoken over our lives. Rest assured that as you do kingdom work, the culture will benefit, and not just your own.
Think of how God kept Joseph while He was in a pit. Upon reflection, the experiences that led to him becoming a slave in Egypt seem to have had little significance or benefit in his life. Joseph became a slave in Egypt due to his brothers' hatred. His master's wife lied about him so that he could be put into jail, and a fellow prisoner he helped forgot Joseph, causing him to remain in prison for an additional two years.
Then, by the grace of God, Joseph was able to supernaturally interpret two of Pharaoh's dreams, leading to his release from prison and his promotion to the position of Prime Minister of Egypt. Because of this promotion, Joseph became an wealthy and powerful man. This was a part of God’s purpose for Joseph’s life. Joseph had absolute authority over who would receive grain if it was stored in Egypt.
The future famine was used to reunite Joseph and his family. As a result of Joseph, God preserved his father's entire family by enabling them to flee to Egypt. Consequently, the Hebrew nation flourished and numerically grew to become the largest nation in the world. Everything occurred because of the Divine plan and purpose God had for Joseph’s life. This is what Joseph would tell his brothers when they came to Egypt to buy grain (Genesis 45:4-8). The purpose of God's plan became the source of significant blessings in Joseph's life, his family, and many of the others he governed.
We can liken a more present-day example of this to Nelson Mandela. Who was imprisoned while being a leader of the resistance, promoting human rights, democracy, reconciliation, and peace in South Africa. What must it have felt like to be mistreated, abused, and forced into isolation for a purpose which was not his own? Years after his release, tensions continued to build in this country. But, at the helm of the dawn of a new era for South Africa was a black man, a Xhosa man, Madiba, who set at tables offering forgiveness and respect to his oppressors. With commitment and persistent patience, he built bridges for a new South Africa to emerge. He was a man who embodied justice and reconciliation. He was also a man who God covered and granted His favor to during tumultuous times.
In reflecting on the lives of both men, even as they were delivered to their respective prisons, they were covered by God. They were granted favor in scenarios were had it been solely left up to man they would have died in their pits. Despite their circumstances both fulfilled God’s ultimate purpose, being promoted into positions in government of their countries to execute the will of God and help His people. Therefore, God’s covering on their lives also extended to the people they were responsible for stewarding.
True to His nature, God’s covering is not one dimensional. His covering is for our physical protection, spiritual protection, favor, enrichment — the manifold blessings we receive because of His covering are for the fulfillment of our purpose, for HIS glory. If you’re struggling to identify what God’s covering looks like present day, I hope the notes, with supporting scripture, below refresh your perspective.
Physical protection (Psalm 91:4) - Governments in several countries are banning the teaching of Christ and the Holy Bible. If you live in one of these countries and you have managed to go unscathed while still living out your walk with Christ, you are being covered.
Hidden plans and agendas exposed (Luke 8:17) - Any time a plot for your demise or a hidden agenda is revealed whether it is integral, a false accusation, betrayal, or sabotage, you are being covered.
Divine Favor (Psalm 5:12) - Divine favor is when you receive special treatment or consideration that supersedes man’s justification for why you are unqualified or undeserving of something. Did you land a job or promotion your resume doesn’t quite measure up to? Did you hear “fully approved” in an instance when you know your credit report isn’t stellar? How about those moments when you thought a situation would be unfavorable and that unexpected, favorable outcome shifted odds that were once against you to work out for your good? All of that is FAVOR.
Just from the small list above we see there are various ways the Lord covers us and yet the most important way is not mentioned… His love. His love covers a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8) by the shedding of the blood of His son, Jesus.
In these coming days embrace Psalm 91 as your portion. Be resolute in knowing you are completely covered by the Lord in all things regarding you.
Prayer: Gracious Father God, I humble myself before you and I acknowledge You for who You are. I am grateful for Your covering, even in the small ways. Thank you for keeping and protecting me even when I didn’t know I needed covering. I ask for forgiveness for my fear, pride, need to control, worry and angst. I receive forgiveness by faith in Jesus’ name. Lord, I release my fears and cares to You. I know that You are perfecting those things that concern me. I ask that Holy Spirit bring this truth to my remembrance in times when anxiety wages war against me. You are the best covering I will ever have and I receive Your promise of covering in my life according to Your word which never returns to you void. I declare Psalm 91 is my portion. Thank you for Your peace which surpasses all understanding. Thank You for Your long-suffering love. Thank You for Your sufficient grace. Thank You for Your mercy being made new every morning. It is in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ I pray. Amen!
Nina Anderson, a dynamic kingdom speaker and scribe by heart, is the founder of Fade2Bold, an initiative focused on building BOLD believers in the Body of Christ. She is a contributing writer for Women of Abundant Wealth Magazine; co-author of the compilation book, The Survivor Behind the Name; and the co-host and co-creator of The Joule Drop, a podcast which focuses on facilitating dialogue on issues impacting the “xennial” generation.
Possessing a desire to help others thrive, Nina uses her God-given abilities and personal testimony to edify and equip her sisters and brothers in Christ. Impacting lives as a speaker, published writer, and mentor, her testimony has helped others mature in their faith and believe they can not only endure but conquer any mental health challenges they face in life through Christ. Her heart for the masses helps her effortlessly acquaint with audiences while seamlessly engaging with all.
Aside from serving in ministry, Nina has over a decade of Information Technology experience and focuses on partnering with other women in corporate America to help them overcome obstacles they face on their professional journey. She actively volunteers with several non-profit and charitable organizations alongside women’s ministries across the country.
When she is not working, involved in ministry, or philanthropic activities, Nina is quite the homebody who enjoys spending time with her daughter, nieces and nephews, reading, writing, or taking a dance class. She is the proud member of Revolution Church in Lancaster, CA under the leadership of Apostles Daniel and Natretia McClendon. Her overall mission is to build up other BOLD believers in the Body of Christ and exhort them to walk in the power and authority granted to them through Jesus Christ.
Connect with Nina