Covered

I vividly remember being scared of the dark as a child. My sweet mother would come tuck me in so the covers were right under my chin, sing to me, and make sure that I had a nightlight so it wasn’t quite so dark. When she would leave my room, I would pull the covers up to my eyes believing that I was hidden from anything that came searching.

Adam and Eve also believed they could hide. Immediately upon disobeying God’s one command, they felt shame and decided to hide from the Lord. Yet, like me as a child, they weren’t really hidden: “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:8-9).

​Adam and Eve also believed they could hide. Immediately upon disobeying God’s one command, they felt shame and decided to hide from the Lord.

Yet, like me as a child, they weren’t really hidden: “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:8-9).

Adam and Eve began to doubt the Lord. They questioned His commands and wanted to be more like Him. They disobeyed God by breaking the one rule He had given to them. They hid from Him and then began to lay blame on anyone other than themselves. Yet God knew exactly where to find them. He pursued them and called out to them, but that is not all He did. He also clothed them. 

This covering is the first sacrifice spoken of in scripture. An animal lost its life and shed its blood to provide the skins from which we are told God made clothes for Adam and Eve. This blood sacrifice covered their guilt and their shame just as the blood sacrifice of Jesus covers ours.

Since the beginning, God has shown grace. Since the first sin, He has worked to cover the sins of mankind. Since the first act of disobedience that separated us from Him, the Lord has pursued those He created. 

Because of Jesus, our sins are no longer counted against us.  When we stop hiding, we can walk in the freedom of Christ. First John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Our Lord is full of grace, and because of this amazing grace, we can walk with confidence that our sins are no more when we turn to the Lord. 

So what do you need to lay down today? Are you still carrying guilt and shame or trying to hide from your past? Let the Lord who loves and pursues carry your burden for you. In Him, there is no more shame and guilt. He has covered our sins and remembers them no more! 

“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” Romans 4:7-8 (NIV)

About the Author

Hello! My name is Lindsay McNeely. I live in Tennessee with my husband and our daughter. Working full-time is both challenging as a mother and rewarding. The challenges cause me to take full advantage of every second with my loving family. On the weekends, we love to grab brunch, explore our little city, or take a short trip together. Time in the Word with other women is my passion and fuel. Join us as we dive deeper in our faith, in God's word, and in community.