THE POWER OF PROTECTIVE COVERINGS Pst. Tayo Onaleye

THE POWER OF PROTECTIVE COVERINGS TEXT: 1 Samuel 4.11 1Sa 4:11  And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.  In this verse of scripture, the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, were killed in battle on the same day. But before they got killed, something instructive happened: the ark was first taken away. Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. The ark of the covenant was a symbol of the presence of God. It provided a covering for Hophni and Phineas such that they couldnt be killed unless the ark was first taken away. A covering is anything that protects, shields and preserves lives from destruction. LESSONS *1. PEOPLE PERISH FROM LACK OF COVERING* While it is absolutely true that people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, it is also very correct that people also perish from lack of covering. *2. THE DEVIL ATTACKS COVERINGS* One strategy of the devil in destroying people is to first destroy the covering shielding them from destruction. Zech 13:7 .smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” Once the shepherd is down, the sheep become vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. *3. YOU NEED SPIRITUAL COVERING* The ark of covenant in the Old Covenant was a shadow of the reality to come under the New Covenant. *JESUS CHRIST IS THAT REALITY.* Jesus is our spiritual covering. Every human being needs to get under the spiritual covering of Jesus. If you are not saved, you are not safe. Are you born again? Have you given your life to Jesus? Do you believe in your heart that He died for you? Have you confessed Him as your Lord? The moment you become born again, you receive a new life by the Holy Spirit and that new life is hidden in Christ. Colossians 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  *4. CHILDREN NEED PARENTAL COVERING* Parents are a covering for their children. Training, teaching, modeling, guiding, prayers, prophetic utterances are all protective measures by which parents cover their children. Children without parental care are very vulnerable to all forms of abuse and attack. Pro 29:15  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.  *5. YOU NEED PASTORAL COVERING* The most important work of your pastor is to feed you with knowledge. But your pastor is also there to cover you spiritually. He/she is a watchman - watching over your soul, praying for you, interceding for you, prophesying over your life and family. Heb 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: FOR *THEY WATCH FOR YOUR SOULS,* as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. A very unfortunate person on earth is the one who doesnt have anyone praying for him. What helped Peter in the day of battle was the pastoral covering of Jesus over his life. Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  Luk 22:32  *BUT I HAVE PRAYED FOR THEE,* that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  A pastor is spiritually like a military man. When criminals see military presence around a building, they simply walk away because they know the implication. In the same way, when evil forces see the covering of your pastor over your life, they simply walk away because they know they cant touch you because there is a shepherd watching over you. You need a pastor sir/ma. *6. YOU NEED ECONOMIC COVERING* Ecc 7:12  For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.  Money is a defence. Money answers all things. The voice of a poor man is not heard. Many troubles in life, particularly on the African continent, are traceable to financial difficulties. Many cases of depression, anxiety disorders, suicide and crime are all rooted in financial lack. Economic covering is therefore a very vital covering against the storms of life. Poverty is a destroyer. Pro10:15  The rich man's wealth is his strong city: *THE DESTRUCTION OF THE POOR IS THEIR POVERTY.* Steps to economic covering: Intentionally seek financial knowledge and education. Saveif you dont have savings, you dont have an economic future. Invest..connect with investors and leverage on the team power. Increase your market value. *Dont just look for a job, look for a marketable SKILL.* Connect with financially wise and savvy people. Take out insurance..health, education, property, business. Insurance is a very wise economic covering. Take advantage of it. *7. YOU NEED SOCIAL COVERING* Act 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart Intentionally nurture relationships. Relationships are some of the strongest coverings in life. An African adage says, eniyan laso literarily meaning people are a covering. This is so true. In the day of challenges, the Holy Spirit will comfort you from the inside but human beings will cover and surround you with love. Ecc 4:10  ..but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.  Dont be a lone-ranger. *8. BE A COVERING OVER PEOPLE.* Isa 32:2  And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.  Some human beings are *principalities.* They have enormous influence. There are individuals who are wealthier than whole countries. This economic power and influence is a trust. It is not for personal gratification or consumption. *SUCH ENORMOUS INFLUENCE MUST BE USED TO PROVIDE COVERING FOR PEOPLE.* Joseph was such a human principality. He was wealthier than the entire Israel clan. But he recognized the purpose of his enormous wealth and political influence: to serve as a covering for others. Gen 45:7  And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  The budding Israel nation was first preserved by Joseph before it was later preserved by Moses. Like Moses, Joseph was a covering. Do you have unusual wealth and influence? Use it as a covering for people and not just for personal gratification and consumption. *9. GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO COVER PEOPLE* Every political office holder must remember that the office he/she occupies is a trust from the people with the sole purpose of the office being used for the greatest good of the highest number of the people. That office is not for personal gratification or consumption. It is for the benefit of the people.