Under the Shadow of His Wings
He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.
(Psalm 91:4 NIV)
Psalm 91 is a psalm about a battle, but amid the tumult and chaos, David still felt the protection of His Lord. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he was protected under the wings of God. David called His protector my Rock, my Fortress, my Strong Tower. We call him Jesus.
I had a front row seat this summer of how a mother bird takes care of her little ones. A wren had made her nest in a hanging basket on my patio. Neither rain nor shine, nor heat nor cold, could force her from her nest and the three babies sheltering under her wings. Not even a thunderstorm could dislodge her. She just hunkered down and kept her babies warm and dry underneath her body. She was ready to defend them to the death had any predator dared to attack them. A small wren can suddenly become a raging momma bear if she thinks her children are in danger.
Jesus does the same for us. Anyone or anything that tries to harm us must go through Him first. When the soldiers came for Him in the garden of Gethsemane, He stepped between them and His disciples, telling the soldiers to let the disciples go, that He was the one they were looking for. Hell was going to have to go through Him to get to His children.
Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none” (John 18:5-9 NKJV).
When I was a child, I had my own small version of being under the shadow of His wings. After my Dad died, life became difficult and I needed an escape. In the afternoons, after homework was done, I would grab my dogs and head into the sanctuary of our back garden. It was wild and overgrown, perfect for an adventurous child. Sometimes I was not in the mood for adventure, however, and just wanted a safe place to hide. My favorite spot was under a massive lilac bush. I discovered a hollowed-out section, just big enough for me and my dogs to shelter. I would lie under the canopy of branches, the sweet smell of lilac permeating the air, sunlight dappling the leaves, the dogs gently snoring, and bees bumbling and buzzing. I felt safe and protected in my cocoon.
This is how I think a baby bird feels when it is warm and safe under the downy body of its mom. And that is how I picture His wings over me. They also have the sweet aroma of lilac.
Whenever you are afraid, remind yourself of His wings covering you. Nestle down into the warmth and comfort of His care and listen to the beating of His heart. You are safe, secure, and protected, and nothing can get to you to harm you.
