Under His Wings

I'm sitting outside on my back porch.  The sun is shining and I hear only the sound of crickets, birds chirping, and frogs croaking.  A springtime breeze brings a small chill to the air.

You wouldn't know it by looking outside now, but moments ago, a severe thunderstorm line came through.  There were strong winds.  During the storm, I watched two birds by our bird feeder, courageous little things who braved the storm.  After a bit, one decided to rest under a nearby tree.  A million things crossed my mind at that moment, of things yet to do, of the laundry still in my hands, as a I simply stood at my window and watched two birds, both un-wavered by the storm.  I stood for what seemed like forever, just watching the birds.

It reminded me of peace.  Yes, in the middle of a literal storm, I was reminded me of peace.  I could see the birds' feathers being shaken by the wind, yet they were undeterred, as if they, too, were at peace.

The book of Psalm is probably my all-time favorite book in the Bible.  To me, it is a beautiful book of written prayers, often written by one who had failed God (yet knew how to pray!).  That same image that I witnessed in the birds of the storm, God used in Psalm 91.

God promises us that we will dwell with the One most high, that we will abide under His shadow (v. 1), just as the bird did under the branches of the tree.

God will be our refuge and our fortress (v. 2) and will deliver us from the fowler and from illness (v.3).  God will cover us with His feathers and we shall be under His wing (v.4).

What a beautiful metaphor of the unfailing peace and protection of God Almighty.  (Side note worthy of sharing: my study bible says that when God refers to Himself as Almighty, as He does is Psalm 91, He is saying that He is our "nurturer and protector"!)

Psalm 91:9 tells us that we are to make God our "habitation", which implies our protected place!

Wow!  The same God who created all the World didn't create our habitat.  He is where we reside, where we are protected, and where we are loved.  Just as we are. Through Christ Jesus.

So, as the old song says, "when the storms of life are raging", stand by Him.  Run to Him.  Allow Him to provide you with that protected place.