Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. (Ps. 91:4)
A mother hen protects her chicks, covering them with her feathers, keeping them safe. They need only to trust, be still, and rest hidden under mother hen’s wings. Baby chick, safe and warm nestled under mama’s care. Close to mother’s heart and protected by her wings, baby chick learns to trust mama hen’s faithfulness. Mama hen is protecting, shielding, and warding off the enemy. When a predator seeks to harm her chicks, Mama hen courageously defends them. She alarms the enemy with a noisy racket, rising to defend her precious chicks. She would rather die for her beloved offspring than seek safety in flight. A noble example of love for her little chicks. But what is that to baby chick, safe, trusting under Mama’s faithful wings?
Does this not remind us of our Heavenly Father? God covers, man trusts; His truth makes it possible. How great a love He has for us, His children. He laid upon Himself the charge of defending and protecting us even unto death. The death of His only Son. We can take comfort in knowing that He protects us, His treasure, under His feathers. How He wants to gather us close to His heart as a hen does her chicks under her wings (Matt. 23:37). By faith, we know that God protects us, we understand His protection. Sorrows and afflictions, epidemics and hardships strike all of us. But when we find shelter under His wings, near to His heart, we find His protection. It may not avert the blows, it may not deliver from pain, but we recognize problems as necessary for our faith to grow.
For if I’d never had a problem,
I wouldn’t know God could solve them,
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
(Andrae Crouch, Through It All)
It is not enough to know there is safety under His wings. He tells you to flee to Him, quickly. If you do not, you will be exposed to every bird of prey in the sky, to every beast of prey lurking in wait for you. The battle will be lost, and you will be counted among the casualties of the believer’s war. What problems are you facing this day? By faith, run speedily to the shelter of His wings. Stretch out your hand to lay hold of the Hand that grasps yours. The Hand that connects you with God, setting you behind the shield of His protection. Let His truth, His faithfulness, be your shield. Remember that “The protection of His child and treasure is a charge that on Himself He laid.”