John Bevere, at the start of his book equates the words under cover to protection and freedom.

He explains
that “the one who is under cover is the one under God’s authority.” Protection comes when God takes control
over our lives. God, the Maker of the whole earth, universe… the whole you.. gives you protection if you come
under His protective arms. Just as a State cannot fully protect its citizens, when they are in another country.. God
cannot also protect us if we go out of His protection and authority.

Authority

Bevere further explains the concept of authority. Personally, I equate authority with power. People in the
government who has authority has power. They have power to restrict, power to command, power to get things
even without my agreement. The government gets taxes from me even if I frown at the amount they take from my
salary… especially since the money I work hard for is just corrupted by some selfish politician.

In an essence, our relationship with God is like that. Whether we like it or not, He has the authority… after all He
is our Maker (see the book of Genesis chapters 1-3). On the other hand, humans have the innate nature of taking
over.. wanting to be like God as Eve and Adam have done in the garden of Eden. We do not want authority. We
want to be the boss. What we fail to see is the big difference between God and the government, for instance.
Government and all human institutions are flawed and far from perfect.. but God is never flawed and He is perfect
in every way.

RESPONSES TO AUTHORITY

Hopelessness

Sometimes, we grow tired and helpless since we face difficulties submitting to God’s authority. There are
moments when we become hopeless and frustrated with ourselves because we fail God every time. I have been
there. Sometimes, I still go back there.. as God prunes all the bad things about me.. sometimes.. I still find myself
in the pits of hopelessness. Have you been there as well? Have you experienced troubles acknowledging the
authority of our Maker? Though spot isn’t it? As humans, we want to take over all the aspects of our lives –
finances, career, family, love life, studies, business.. and a whole lot of things. There are moments when God
doesn’t want you to have the rich-and-the-famous-lifestyle, but you insist. There are times when you REALLY.
REALLY. REALLY. like a guy/girl.. but he/she is not the one says God. Some people, on the other hand,
experience pursuing a great career and then God calls them into the ministry… It is difficult to obey an
authority… but it will save us from a whole lot of trouble.

Rebellion

John Bevere asserts that “what causes many to drift in their walk with God” is REBELLION. Rebellion is going
against what God desires. Lucifer did it. Adam and Eve also took part of it. Many other men and women followed
them after… including John Bevere and myself.. Rebellion comes subtly, as Bever explains, it is not blatant. So if
you and me are experiencing subtle rebellion now, let us be open to the word of God. Let it act us a blade ready
to pierce our hearts where it needs to be pierced. Let us receive correction.. for heeding correction leads to
repentance and repentance leads to life..

Get the Shots

John imparts a story about him getting immunization as a child. He said that he didn’t want it at first, cause he
knows he will get hurt. However, after his parents explained that it is needed so that he wouldn’t acquire a
disease that can take his very life, he agreed.. seeing that prevention is better.

In the same way, let’s also get the shots. Accept the sting. Deal with the pain. If there is something wrong with
our lives right now… let’s turn it over to God.. let’s be brave enough to deal with it.. As John says: “I knew the
shot would be somewhat painful, but it would keep me from experiencing much greater pain from contracting a
dreadful and possible disease.”

Don’t wait for the disease to engulf your spiritual life. Get the shots. Change your heart. Accept discipline. God
disciplines those He loves.
“Often the painful words, not the smooth ones, ultimately bring the greatest freedom and protection.” – John
Bevere.

*As Christians we must recognize that we are under God’s authority for us to easily abide to
those authorities that were assigned by the LORD in our lives.
Remember this when you encounter any uncomfortable, or even painful, immunizing truths from
the word of God. Know your heavenly Father’s ways are perfect, and what may at times look presently
detrimental or hurtful will actually be His positioning for protection, blessing or
another salvation. Neverforget his love for us is pure, complete and everlasting.*
We may experience hardship but it’s molding us to be Christlike. Helps us to deepen our trust to
Christno matter what happens until the day that we will see Him again.

*As a Christians a Rebellion is opposition to authority. Rebellion can become violent, as in “an
armed rebellion broke out in the city,” but it can also remain unexpressed. Rebellion always begins
in the heart. Rebellion against God’s authority was humanity’s first sin (Genesis 3) and continues to
be our downfall. Our sinful natures do not want to bow to the authority of another, even God. We
want to be our own bosses, and that rebellion in the human heart is the root of all sin (Romans
3:23).

Rebellion against proper authority is a serious matter in God’s eyes. The prophet
Samuel confronted King Saul with these words: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better
than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of
idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king” (1 Samuel
15:22–23). Rebellion is linked to pride in this passage, and both sins are equated with witchcraft
and paganism. Because of Saul’s persistent rebellion against God, he lost the throne and his royal
dynasty was cut short. God gave the kingdom to a shepherd boy named David (1 Samuel 13:14).