Look Towards The Cover

“The cherubim had their wings spread upwards, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking towards the cover.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭37‬:‭9‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬

In the Tabernacle, at the very heart of Israel’s worship, stood the Ark of the Covenant—a sacred chest containing the stone tablets of the Law. But above those tablets rested something even more significant: the mercy seat. It was made of pure gold, with two cherubim facing each other, their wings stretched out, gazing intently downward toward the cover—the place where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of atonement once a year.

That golden lid separated the Law—God’s perfect standard—from the people who had failed to keep it. Between the Law and the sinner was the blood! The cherubim weren’t staring at the broken commandments; they were looking at the place where mercy triumphed over judgment.

And that’s where you and I must fix our gaze too—on the cover, the mercy seat, the place of blood. Not the blood of bulls and goats, but “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19).

If we were to judge ourselves by the Law—or even by our own standards—we’d all fall miserably short. Think about it: we can’t even keep our New Year’s resolutions, let alone live sinless lives! We promise to pray more, love more, be patient more… and then life happens. We stumble. We lose our temper. We envy. We lust. We fail.

And if you’re a perfectionist, that can be agony—because you want to do better for God. But here’s the good news: while we are being made holy, God already calls us holy! (Hebrews 10:14). We are clothed in righteousness not our own (Isaiah 61:10), accepted not because of performance, but because of the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7).

When God looks at you, He doesn’t see the broken law beneath the lid—He sees the blood on the cover. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

It’s grace we needed—and grace He has provided. It’s mercy over every failure, large or small. It’s time to stop staring at our shortcomings and start gazing where the cherubim gazed—towards the cover, towards the mercy seat, towards the finished work of Christ.

When you fail, look towards the cover. When you fall short, look towards the cover. When you’re tempted to give up on yourself, look towards the cover. The blood still speaks, and it says: “You are forgiven. You are free.”

“Having boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…” (Hebrews 10:19).

Today, lift your eyes—mercy is still flowing. Look towards the cover!

I am made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ, not by my works, but by His sacrifice. “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him” (Romans 5:9).

I stand forgiven, cleansed, and restored. The blood of Jesus has washed me white as snow and removed every charge against me. “The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). There is no condemnation for me in Christ (Romans 8:1).

Today, I do not live under guilt or shame. I live clothed in Christ’s righteousness, bold to approach God, and confident in His love. “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).

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STRONGER: includes a 40 day devotional

This book is all about where we find strength. Jarrod writes that “God provides us with strength builders along our path” – some we need to pick up and use, others will simply happen to us along the way, by a kind of divine providence. But knowing these seasons of muscle building are from heaven (‘cos they usually look like they’re from hell at first!) is vital to recognising God’s plan for your resilience.

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