God Has You Covered

For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12 NASB)

I heard a local pastor's broadcast this morning and he said something I thought was profound. He said "If the devil can't shut you up, he'll attempt to shut you down." Now for me that was a whole day's worth of encouragement. I could have turned him off at that point because that was a rich word! But I kept listening, and as I did, the Holy Spirit started talking to me. What did Daniel, Elijah, and Peter have in common? Yes, they were all very bold servants of almighty God. But they shared another very interesting characteristic: they all refused to allow the enemy to shut them down. Daniel's enemies conspired against him because he wouldn't stop praying three times a day - it landed him in a den of lions; putting him at risk of becoming a prime rib dinner. When Elijah killed the prophets of Baal, Jezebel wanted Elijah dead. By Herod's order Peter landed on death row for preaching Jesus. Daniel kept praying, Elijah kept prophesying, and Peter kept preaching. They were all candidates for, and experienced God's deliverance. The enemy couldn't shut them up, so he tried to shut them down. Well, the enemy's tactics haven't changed much over thousands of years; he still attempts to shut down your ministry, shut down your effectiveness, shut down your witness, shut down your mission, your vision, and your God-given dream. But I want to encourage somebody. Just as God surrounded Daniel, Elijah, and Peter, He is surrounding you with His favor (Also see Psalm 125:1-2). When we walk close to God He is keeping us under His divine protection so that whatever direction we turn, He is there; no part of us is left exposed. Keep doing, unafraid what God has called you to do. Praise God because He has you covered.