Friday, June 19, 2024
Under the Shadow of His Wings – Psalm 91Submitted by Kay Crumley
There are phrases or verses that just stick in my mind more than others. One of those is that He covers us with His wings. Being a country girl growing up with a variety of animals may contribute to this being so very meaningful. When a hen, like a chicken, has baby chicks she is very protective of them. Anytime a danger comes near she will fluff out her feathers to appear larger and open her wings for her chicks to come huddle under for protection. That’s the image that comes to mind when I read verses about being protected by His wings. Another thing I learned recently is that the Jewish prayer shawl also carries the idea of wings. The rectangular garment’s corners can be referred to as wings. A Rabi may teach children using the prayer shawl extending it over the heads of the students to demonstrate the protection of God when He shelters us under His wings.
That then leads me to ask, ‘who are those who will be sheltered in this way?’ I have selected some passages from Psalm 91 as the framework for today’s devotional with three points to consider:
Take Refuge in Him
Verses 1-2 identifies those who are protected as those who dwell in, or live in, the shelter of the Most High, the Almighty God. Those who spend time with God in study, in applying His teachings to our lives are those who abide in Him. Because we know Him and His attributes we take refuge, a place of safety, in Him. He is our fortress, protection from enemies. We go there because we trust in Him. He is all powerful.
1Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
The idea of taking refuge in Him is stated again in Psalm 18:30. Those who have a relationship with God trust Him knowing that His path for our lives is perfect and the Word of God is without error, flawless. Therefore, when we go to Him as a place of refuge, He is faithful to shield us from the enemies or fears we encounter.
As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
· He is our Shield
What comes to mind with you hear or think of a shield? Do we imagine a large concave device made of metal that the soldier holds to protect himself form arrows? That’s what I think about. But, in verse 4 we find that we are shielded, or protected by His feathers, under His wings. Some versions use pinions rather than feathers. Pinions are the outer part of a wing including the flight feathers. That would be the most sturdy, resilient part of the wing. We find refuge, safety and security, under His wings. His faithfulness is what we rely on because He is trustworthy, and His word is true. He will shield us who depend on Him. He is our rampart. That’s not a word I use! It is a physical barrier. God is the barrier, placing Himself in the path of our enemies, any harm that may come toward us.
4He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
We can then shout or sing with the Psalmist in 36:7 that His unfailing love is priceless. There is nothing that can surpass God’s faithful, undeserved love He has for us. We must run to Him for refuge in the shadow of His wings.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
· He is our Protector
The conditions are simply stated in verses 9-10. If you confess that He is your refuge and live with the Lord God Almighty, you will be safe. You will not be overcome with harm and disaster. We face enemies but God is our protector so we can weather the storms of life.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
The Psalmist begs for mercy from the Lord in chapter 40:11. He asks knowing God is listening and that He is a God of love and faithfulness. He has promised to protect His own. When we cry to Him for help, we do that in confidence that He is faithful to His promises.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
His answers may not be those we hoped for or expected but we can rest in the knowledge that His way is good as we see in Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
