Under God's Covering Psalm 5:11 & 12

                        Psalm 5: 11 & 12

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).

I was reading in Genesis this weekend and was at the part where Cain killed his brother.  Before he had killed him, he was upset because God liked and accepted Abel's offering, but not Cain's.  God told him that "If you do what is right and good, will you not reap a just reward?"  He was reminding Cain that He had given him the plans for doing right, and if he didn't follow those plans, why was he upset at God, when his offerings didn't pass muster?  You see, we all like to think it is someone else's fault when things don't go our way.  Well, we live in a sinful world.  God does cover us, but things happen to impact that covering.  No, I don't mean God can't or won't intervene, but sometimes, He allows things to happen to help us to grow, and to see what our response will be.

God's covering is amazing.  He is able to do so much with so little.  I like this little joke I heard one time.  It was about these scientists getting together and challenging God on making people.  That they could do what He did.  Well, God accepted the challenge, but then when the scientists went to get the dirt, God told them, "Oh no, you go get your OWN dirt.  That's the dirt I made."  It cracks me up, because we are given so much from God, and then we think we are the ones who made our own destiny's happen.  His covering gives us the world.  He gave man dominion over it all.  Wow!  We gave that away, with a bite of forbidden fruit.  Jesus won that back for us, and as we follow His plan, we get to see that dominion in the real world around us.  How many of us give up our dominion, though, to the enemy?  Do we let him have it, when we choose to do something God told us not to?  Do we do it when we keep unforgiveness in our hearts?  Do we do it when we won't have mercy or love?  Do we let him have it when we believe the lies of the enemy?

My dear friends.  Keep joy in your heart.  Keep singing.  Keep remembering that God is YOUR covering.  He hides you.  He holds you.  He lifts you.  He surrounds you.  He gives you all you need.  Let Him be more in your life.  Believe Him for more.  He wants you to trust Him.  He wants you to step out in faith.  Just believe that He means what He says in His Word.  God IS for us.  Lets lift our hearts in HIGHEST praise.  Let us be overwhelmed with His Goodness.  Let Him inhabit your praise.  Let Him come into your midst, because your praise drew Him to you.