Who has your back? When you find yourself in the middle of a fierce battle, who can you call and truly count on to be there for you?
When you or someone you love is under attack it can feel like the devil is working overtime.
Sometimes the enemy loves to make false accusations and condemn us for all the world to see. It hurts even more when the enemy uses things we know we have done wrong to tear us down and undermine any hope we have of making things right.
The Bible tells us, however, that we have someone we can always call and count on to have our backs:
The Apostle Paul tells is in the book of Romans:
† If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Romans 8:31-34 NLT
For those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, He is the One who is always interceding for us, pleading for us and covering us in prayer.
When it comes to living life here on planet earth, everybody needs some kind of covering for protection from the elements. Nature can be harsh and unforgiving, especially in places where the weather is extreme. A covering may also be necessary when it comes to representing or exercising authority on behalf of someone else.
Think of it this way:
When we don’t seek shelter or a covering during a storm, we live with a greater vulnerability to outside threats.
This is WHY having someone you can count on to cover your life in prayer is so critical for living with a greater sense of peace and protection against outside threats.
In fact, two are really better than one when it comes prayer.
† Jesus said “Truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:19-20 NRSV
There is a hard ceiling, a limit to how much we can get done and how far we can go in life alone. But with God, all things are possible!! His presence in our lives is the biggest game-changer for any battle we would ever find ourselves in.
The Lord promises to be present among those who pray together in His name.
Whether it’s praying for one another or for others, praying for needs or God-sized dreams, when we pray in His name we can count in Him being there and saying, “I’ve got your back.”
Two people who demonstrated they had each other’s back more than most, were Ruth and Naomi. Ruth displayed it with a deep love and loyalty to her mother-in-law when she uprooted her life in Moab to devote her life not only to Naomi, but her people and the God they served in the land of Israel.
Naomi also displayed a deep love and loyalty to Ruth, her widowed daughter-in-law, when she showed concern and forethought regarding what she could do to help set Ruth up for success in the future.
† One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for.”
Ruth 3:1 NLT
Naomi must have been thinking, observing and praying for Ruth for some time. She not only had Ruth’s back, but when the time came she also had a plan.
Naomi told Ruth, . . .
† “Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.”
Ruth 3:2-4 NLT
Now Ruth committed to doing everything Naomi told her to do. She trusted in Naomi and the plan she had laid out for her to follow.
The story continues that around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and was surprised to find Ruth lying at his feet.
† “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”
Ruth 3:9 NLT
When Boaz heard her words, he was elated and more than willing to honor her request by spreading the corner of his covering over her.
It’s a beautiful picture that points to Christ as the Redeemer of all mankind, and what He does when we draw near to Him, and ask Him to spread the corner of His covering over our lives.
Who is covering you in prayer today? Who’s got your back when life goes sideways? When was the last time you intentionally drew near to God and asked Him to spread the corner of His covering over your life, your needs and/or your dreams?
Jesus Christ is our Kinsman/Family Redeemer and He wants to spread the corner of His redemptive covering over our lives.
WHY? Because He wants us to experience renewal through the power of His redemptive love. It’s a redemptive love that calls and enables us to live each day as if everything in our past—the good, the bad and the ugly—has been in preparation for this day, this moment in history, this season in our lives!
Let me encourage you today:
Draw near to God right now in prayer, and ask Him to cover your life, your needs and your dreams with His redemptive love. Ask God for the grace to live with a redemptive mindset for your life. Go even further by asking others how you can cover them in prayer and invite them to pray with you believing He will make His presence known amongst you, in you and through you.
When this habit becomes a part of your faith journey, you’ll learn more and more each day what it means to live under His sovereignty and authority, His covering and protection. You’ll feel less vulnerable because you’ll enjoy a greater sense of His presence in your life. You’ll live with a greater sense of security and conviction that the Lord loves you and has your back no matter what.
Let’s PRAY this prayer together!
Lord Jesus, we look to You today as our Kinsman Redeemer, our Family Redeemer. Your Word says that You are seated at the right hand of the Father, pleading for us, covering us in prayer. You have our backs! You’ve promised that when we gather together and pray in Your name, You are there amongst us.
Lord, make Yourself known among us today, right now, as we pray for each other’s needs and dreams. Spread the corner of Your covering over our lives and families. Come against those places in our lives where we may feel vulnerable to outside threats. Bring them all under your authority and dominion; your covering and protection. As we put our faith and trust in You, help us to also live with a greater sense of security and conviction about your love and faithfulness towards us, and that You have our backs no matter what. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen!