We all pretty much understand that love is everything to God. If it wasn’t, we would all be dead, right? Fear is one of (if not THE) primary device of the adversary. It is the opposite of love. Wherever he can block or even wreck love, he will. Whenever we can live in love, we reverse the adversary’s curse and hold upon us. Think about the fragility of human relationships. We are divided. We oppress. We hate. We are stuck. Consider this thread as a powerful alternative:
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.” – Proverbs 10:12
“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
In the so-called new testament, the word for covers is rooted in the idea of hiding and stealing. So – love steals the power of fear and death (Jesus’ mission). In the Hebrew language this word conveys the idea that love “covers the hollows” – spiritually clothing (covering) us from that which overwhelms us.
The word for hatred from Proverbs 10:12 indicates that such hatred makes us naked. It exposes us. But love covers us. Beautiful. While we would like to ignore or cancel our nakedness (an impossibility), Jesus covers our shame for us with His blood. He covers our soul nakedness through His sacrifice.
GOD IS COMPASSION
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.” – Psalm 103:8 This is Who God is.
There are several other things we learn about compassion from Psalm 103.
√ God wishes to bless us. (vs 1-5) He is kind.
√ His compassion is powerful. (vs 8-14) He understands.
√ If we care – He delivers us. (vs 17-18) He swears by Himself.
God also helped Moses to experience the power of His love.
“The LORD descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the LORD. Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives our iniquity, transgression and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” Moses quickly bowed down and worshipped.” – Exodus 34:4-8
In Joel chapter 2 we hear about God’s offer of compassion:
“But there’s also this, it’s not too late – God’s personal Message!
“Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!”
Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to GOD, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, this most patient God, extravagant in love, is always ready to cancel catastrophe.” (the Message)
In all things God has our best interests at heart – and His compassion is to guide in our victory over strongholds and lofty things.
As a weapon: Love disarms the kingdom of fear:
√ Repentance exposes the power of fear (disarms the claim)
√ Reset – forgiveness covers the anger of fear (exchanges it for love)
√ Recovery occurs when we are reconciled to one another (reject the way of the adversary)
√ Re-engagement is made possible for moving forward (power of a cleared conscience)
Fear is disarmed – the adversary loses his foothold and his strongholds are weakened.
If we are to be victorious in warfare we must use the weapon of love. While this compassion is to be directed at even our worst enemies, it is ultimately targeted at the work of the the adversary. Very clearly: “love covers a multitude of sins.” And as we mentioned before, being covered is our only hope!
Fighting the fight with you,
Dave and Burnadette
More on THE COMPASSION THREAD…check it out!
Exodus 33:19
2 Chronicles 36:15
Nehemiah 1:11; Nehemiah 9:19-31
Hosea 6:6
Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7
Psalm 25:6; 40:11; 51:1; 103:4,13; 119:77
Isaiah 30:18; Jeremiah 12:15;
More on THE FORGIVENESS THREAD…check it out!
Matthew 6:6-15; Matthew 18:21,35; 26:28
Luke 5:21-24
Mark 1:4; Mark 11:25
Luke 11:4; Luke 17:3-4
John 20:23
Acts 2:38
2 Corinthians 2:7,10
Ephesians 1:7
Colossians 1:14
Hebrews 9:22; 10:18
1 John 1:9
Daniel 9:9,19
Psalm 25:18; 65:3; 79:9; 86:5