Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! (Mat. 23:37)
Jerusalem, “City of God”, “Foundation of Peace”. Now a place of war and confusion. Once the joy of the whole earth, now an anguishing city among the nations. Once thriving and united, now dispersed and shattered. The place God had chosen to put his name, now given over to criminals and corruptions. Jesus laments for the nation, weeping for them, pouring out overtures of grace for those who have rejected Him and are now rejecting His servants. His heart broken for those who will soon shout “Crucify Him.” He longs to gather this ill-tempered, angry people under His wings as a hen does her chicks. But they were unwilling, obstinate, ungrateful, impenitent. They have rejected His saving grace and now they are persecuting His followers. His love continues to extend toward this rebellious nation, ever endeavoring to protect, to cherish, to save. As a mother hen calls her chicks to take refuge under her tender wings of love and care, so does the Lamb of God call the proud and stubborn nation to Himself.
America, set apart by God until He had prepared a people to create “One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” America, now becoming a nation of crooks and chaos. America, rejecting God; rejecting His people. Still, Jesus yearns to gather her under His wings. We, the people of God, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, are attacked from without and from within. When we take refuge under our Redeemer’s wings, like the defenseless chick, we find peace and safety. We have but to rest in Him, to keep our eyes on Him, to cast our cares on Him. When we do, we remain quiet, we trust Him, we are safe, sheltered under His tender wings of mercy. He will rise against our enemy in might and power; He will never yield to the intruder.
Don’t let your guilt and pride; resistance and stubbornness, self-will and self-reliance stand between you and God, between you and God’s peace, between you and God’s love. He wants to protect you under the shadow of His wings, to be a hiding place for you, to protect you when trouble comes. He wants to be your refuge when you are attacked by your enemies. Have you allowed Him to shelter you under His wings, near to His heart? Be honest with yourself. God knows your heart, your deepest thoughts, your greatest failures. Jesus is ready to receive all who come to Him. “Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.”