Isn’t that a beauty? Tony was traveling for work and came across, or should I say went across this last week. Conjures up a bit of nostalgia for the good ole days, right? It feels good just to gaze on it, doesn’t it? When he first sent that to me, just for a nanosecond I thought it was our bridge on Tuscarora. Of course, I knew it wasn’t. Maybe it was wishful thinking. It sure is lovely.
Covered bridges are covered in order to protect the bridge, the boards, the trusses from the elements. Another lovely thought…we too are covered or protected from the elements. We’ve learned a good bit about bridges lately. We must have a firm foundation in Him and He will provide safe passage over the turmoils of life all the while protecting us from the elements of life by covering us from above.
And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”
Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”
“I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—before you. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
And He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”
The LORD continued, “There is a place near Me where you are to stand upon a rock, and when My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back;
but My face must not be seen.”
Exodus 33:17-23
Isn’t this passage absolutely beautiful? It’s one of my very favorite. Moses said, please show me who you are, show me your presence, show me your glory. The Lord said because I know your name, I know who you are, I will reveal myself to you. He said no one can see me and live so come over here, tuck yourself in near me. When my glory passes by I will put you in the cleft of the rock and protect you.
That scripture leaves me breathless. I know your name. I will show you who I am. I will protect you. You know, Jesus promised the exact same thing.
I know your name…
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27
I will show you who I am…
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”
John 14:21
I will cover you…
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself.
And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Romans 8:28-30
So as we cross the bridges of life, we can be reminded that our Lord and Savior will cover us and protect us from the elements of life because we are His.