I often receive the seed of song inspiration from a Sunday morning sermon. I have been blessed over the years with amazing pastors who preach with authority and humility, and know how to bring the Bible to life. My life. Sometimes I will chew on an illustration for quite some time, and a song will begin to form and work itself out of my head and through my pen.
I marvel at the journey some of these seeds take before they blossom into a final song. It can be like planting a sunflower seed and getting a morning glory. Sometimes it's like planting a potato and getting a turnip.
I don't remember who was preaching that Sunday or what the point of the sermon was, but I remember he shared an interesting story of Noah. Not the ark or the flood. Not the animals or the mockers. Later, after the water subsided and Noah found himself drunk and naked in his tent. Really, it's right there in Genesis 9: 20-29. He planted a vineyard, tested the wine, and overindulged. There is some drama most people don't expect to see in the Bible, but along with being instructional and divinely inspired, the Bible often simply portrays a slice out of someone's life. And those someones aren't perfect.
What captured my attention was not Noah's awkward situation, but his sons' reactions. The first one to see him comes out of the tent ready to tattle on dad, but the other two shield their eyes, walk backward into the room, and carefully cover their father. I'm always watching for stories that foreshadow the coming of Christ, and this is a perfect example. Christ takes pity on us in our naked, sinful state, and he becomes our cover. He atones for our sin.
Did you know the word “atonement” comes from the Hebrew word “cofer,” which means “to cover.” Cofer was the name of the lid on the ark of the covenant, and it is also called “the mercy seat.” Christ is the merciful covering for all the sinful darkness in our lives, the atoning sacrifice. In cozier terms, his offering is like a warm, soft blanket on a cold, winter day. In my darkest times, I have often felt the comfort of that supernatural covering.
I know a young teenage girl who was experiencing much psychological trauma, and found herself crumbling one day. Her mom realized she needed to take her to the hospital for some mental treatment. I found out that she listened to the song “Cover You” over and over on her way to the hospital, but that when she arrived in the unit, they took away her music. I sent over the softest blanket I could found for this sweet girl, and I attached the lyrics to the song. They are the words I imagine Christ sings over us in our darkest hour. We can't hear them audibly, but when we feel the peace like a river wash over us, we are hearing the words with our soul, where deep calls to deep.
Here is a link to my song, Cover You:
I will cover you with hope when hope is like the wind
I will cover you with love, it covers up a multitude of sin
I will cover you with tears, sharing in your pain
and I will cover you with peace, when words are in vain
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