Covering Lev 13:2 "When someone has a swelling or a blister or a shiny spot on the skin that might signal a serious skin disease on the body, bring him to Aaron the priest or to one of his priest sons. There is this thin shield that separates us from the world around us and keeps all of our vital parts retained within our bodies. Though this covering is very durable in most cases and will heal and strengthen, it is still very vulnerable to penetration and damage. The slightest contact with a sharp or pointed object will cut through it and allow the source of life inside to leak out, and the abundance of impurities outside to get in. This covering is a porous substance that is susceptible to disease growing and spreading in it, and ultimately weakening it to the point of breaking through and losing its ability to protect and preserve. If it were to come in contact with another person's covering while carrying a disease it could cause theirs to also be infected. The cleanliness and protection of this covering is something that is most critical to our continued existence. Any abrasion or disease left on its own has the potential of ultimately destroying the whole body. While reading through Leviticus 13 it initially seemed like maybe a lot of extra detail and time were given to this matter of skin purity. It's interesting that so much importance was given to diagnosing and treating any skin disease. As an understanding begins to come, though, of how important it is to the preservation of the person and the nation, there is a realization of how critical it is to treat it correctly, so that it would not bring its destruction on the person and anyone they might touch. There was an association made in the following chapter between the physical ailment of the covering and the spiritual necessity of an offering. It was as if the disease was somehow an outward representation of an inward spiritual condition. In actuality this presentation of the covering's possible condition and treatment was of great importance in preserving the existence of the children of Israel. By adhering to the details of these passages, there was provision made for the control of conditions that might have destroyed the nation. Much like the physical covering that separates and protects us from the world around us, there is a spiritual covering that is most critical for our healthy spiritual existence. It is also very susceptible to penetration and infection from surrounding objects and associations. We are continually vulnerable in this covering to destructive influences that might not only cause damage to our personal existence in righteousness, but also affect those with whom we might have contact. There is a great need to preserve completely the integrity of this covering and its maintained function. As we come in contact with the sharp objects and contagious infections of doubt and worry that would cause the substance of our faith to leak out, there may be a need to remove ourselves for some time from the communication we might have with those who would also be susceptible to their effect. We will need to realize that what is taking place is not just a mental process, but that it is something that must be dealt with spiritually. An offering of praise and worship will need to be offered from a heart that desires to enter once again into the holy place of purity and health in the presence of the Lord. In lifting up this offering before the Lord, there will not only be a healing brought to our own covering, but there will be additional protective clothes of righteousness that cover us in our garment of praise. On our own we are most vulnerable to the defeat and destruction that would infect and penetrate our spiritual covering. We will be unable to defend against personal devastation, and it will most definitely affect those with whom we come in contact. There is a way for us to yet stand strong and healthy through any attacks, though. Allowing ourselves to continually be clothed in our protective garment of praise, we will be shielded from the penetrating and infecting power of our enemy's attacks. Though we might still be sensitive and vulnerable, a shield of faith that will protect, preserve and heal will cover us. As there might be a let down of this shield with damage done, instead of just allowing the damaged areas to just run their course and bring further destruction, the treatment of worship and praise applied with the Word will bring restoration of what was lost and immunity from any further infection. To remain as a healthy, living person in the realm of faith, much attention must be given to the diagnosis, maintenance, health and purity of our spiritual covering. It is not wise to ever allow a let down of our protective shield of faith. In continually putting on a garment of praise, with the goodness of our God always on our lips, there will ever be a shield about us of faith that will preserve and protect us from any of the dangerous attacks from the darkness around us. Safely held in the covering of our Father's hand, living a life of worship, there will be a surety of an eternity of protected and healthy living. Psa 3:1 GOD! Look! Enemies past counting! Enemies sprouting like mushrooms, Psa 3:2 Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery: "Hah! No help for him from God!" Psa 3:3 But you, GOD, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; Psa 34:1 I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. Psa 34:2 I live and breathe GOD; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: Psa 34:3 Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. Psa 34:7 GOD's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. 6/6/04