A covering is something that is placed between the eye and the item that is covered so that only the cover is seen, but not the item that is covered. The covering does not change the item that has been covered! What we are embarrassed by must be something bad. We must never justify something that is bad. Woe unto him who does something like that! We can’t possibly lie. However, by placing something between the eye of the accuser and the accused, we can lead people’s attention to something else. It is very effective when we, by God’s grace and wisdom, can pull out a covering that mirrors the accuser’s own folly (which is not so very little, since he even ventured an accusation), so he can draw back and think about it. If we lack wisdom in this area, we ought to seek her, hoping to find her, for she is so willing on behalf of the one who loves her that even if we arose early in the morning to seek her, wisdom would already be dressed, waiting for us. Wasn’t it precisely this kind of covering work that Jesus performed when the Pharisees wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery? Jesus didn’t burst out with an eloquent speech. He searched for a prudent answer. He wrote on the ground as long as He was waiting for the answer to be given to Him. Then He drew a mirror screen between their eyes and the woman. By doing this, the woman vanished from before their eyes so that they put the stones away because they couldn’t stone the person they didn’t see. They saw only their own, various faults, so that they, occupied with their own faults, went away humiliated. In like manner, love always covers a multitude of sins and weaknesses of all kinds (1 Peter 4:8); not because it is indifferent to whether there is a little more or less of them, but because it is prudent to cover them temporarily in order to address the matter later if the person concerned can bear it.Elias Aslaksen

Hønefoss, March 26, 1912 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have an inheritance that pleases me. My heart is full of thankfulness to Him who called me and who has since revealed His boundless mercy toward me, which no man knows. I always look more deeply into His unsearchable wisdom, into His way which is perfect—also with me. All God’s counsels are mysteries in the Spirit, which no one can comprehend except those to whom they are revealed. Revelations of the Spirit are given for the common good. Oh, what a great and effective acknowledgment this is that if we always lived in it, it would always cause us to hear His voice who speaks in our inner man. His voice is heard in His own kingdom, which is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit and which by faith is found within us. Simple faithfulness to Christ is the hidden mystery of the inner life that is known only by those to whom it is revealed; nevertheless, their effects are noticed by all, without realizing their source. Blessed is everyone who abides in this state which is filled with a trusting rest, which is immovable and mysterious. All our spiritual weapons can be included in this: simple faithfulness to Christ. Working with souls is a glorious work, full of sufferings and exceedingly rich in refreshment and hope. Purified oil, rich cream, and sweet honey come at the right time. There are many souls on this earth who are drifting about; some are more and some are less God-fearing; some of them, who cannot bear the quick pace of the young ones, have become cripples in the race. Then there are some with carnal wisdom who are poor in grace, who would love to glory in someone’s flesh. God’s grace is sufficient to lead the God-fearing onward and to defeat those who think they are something and yet are nothing. By God’s grace the fight has begun, and by His power it will lead to peace. The meek—those who fear the Lord—will see it and rejoice! This will result in abundant thanksgiving to God—inasmuch as it has already begun to appear. It is fitting for you to share my joy, seeing that my work in the Lord is not in vain. Pray that God will mold and give servants here in the church, and that all the upright in heart may be permeated by this mind: to love righteousness and hate unrighteousness. You can also rejoice together with me with the same joy that Paul had in Galatians 2:6. May God’s will be done in all things. How could a man understand his own way? The spiritual significance of having a faithful brother working together with me is becoming more and more established in my mind. A purposeful work in the Lord will stimulate this desire, whereas the work of a hireling does not afford an opportunity for such a desire.Elias Aslaksen