“Under His Wings”

He will cover you with his wings

The other morning while at Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, I happened upon a mother Mallard sheltering her brood of chicks.

Receiving a nudge to pause by the Holy Spirit… I settled in the grass nearby to s sit alongside her and listen to His lessons and enjoy a special time.

She noticed me at first, but soon settled into a peaceful nap… as she provided warmths and security for her ducklings nestled beneath her wings.

 

 

“He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you.” (He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you. He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you. (Psalms 91:4)

 

 

“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.” (Psalm 36:7)

 

Some of the most expressive illustrations of the divine love and care employed in the Bible, are taken from the ways of birds. For example, this beautiful figure of a bird sheltering her young under her wings, runs through all the Scriptures, as a picture of God’s sheltering love.

They are wings of mercy. 

“How priceless is Your unfailing love!” 

Indeed, this is mercy—kindness to the undeserving. 

Under God’s wings is a place for penitent sinners. 

 

The wings of God are wide-spreading. 

As seen in the photo, a Mallard hen has stretched out her wings to cover her brood; yet hers are not broad wings. 

They can shelter only her own little family. 

God’s wings are infinitely broader. 

For thousands of years they have been gathering human souls under their blessed shelter—and yet there is room.

Indeed, there is room for all… the wise man and the ignorant, the strong and the weak, the healthy and the trembling invalid, life’s victors and the defeated, the pure and gentle and innocent, and the worst sinners. 

These wings of God are wide-spreading.

 

The wings of God are gentle.

We see but a small glimpse of this, as the mother Mallard selected soft grass at the water’s edge… the gathering her brood into her soft down to rest in warmth and care.

Recall what the Psalm tell us what is to be experienced under the wings of God…

Satisfaction is the first. “They shall be abundantly satisfied!” 
Joy is the second. “You give them drink from your river of delights.” 
Life, larger, fuller life, is the third. “With you is the fountain of life.” 
Light is the fourth. “In your light—we shall see light.” 
Indeed, when we are dwelling beneath the wings of God, and under these wings have such marvelous blessings—why should we ever be afraid? 

 

The wings of God are also wings of refuge. 

“How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings!”

 

Like us… soon the ducklings awoke and began this morning’s new adventure.

 

 

 

So…

As you traverse this day…

Remember His Words…

Remember His Promises…

And know…

He is near