The Shelter of His Wings

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty… He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge…

                                                                    Psalm 91:1, 4

Security.  It is one of our basic needs.  But where do we go to find it?  When our physical, emotional, or spiritual safety is threatened, what should be our response?  The fact that we will often need a place of safety and refuge from the turmoil of the world should come as no surprise to us.  We are clearly warned that the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  The problem comes in our decision of where to seek shelter.

            Here is the situation we read in Jeremiah, chapters 39-44.  The people of Judah had been released from captivity in Babylon.  They had returned to Judah from all the nations where they had been scattered.  They were feeling very weak, vulnerable and fearful.  The people gathered together and asked Jeremiah the prophet to pray for direction from the Lord about what they should do.  The Lord answered very clearly that they were to stay in their land and not fear the king of Babylon.  He promised to be with them, to save them and deliver them from the king’s hand.  He warned them very specifically not to go to Egypt for protection and what the consequences would be if they did go.  There would be famine and war and there would be no survivors.  Jeremiah came back with this clear answer, and the people accused him of telling a lie!  Sadly, they did not listen to the word of the Lord.  Against God’s explicit direction, they marched straight down to Egypt for protection!  They chose to trust a mighty nation for their protection instead of relying on God and obeying Him.

            Once again, I am shocked at the outright disobedience of the Israelites — until I look at my own life and see that I have done the same thing.  God has clearly shown me not to go a certain direction and warned what the consequences would be.  But my mind was made up to do what I wanted to do.

         God’s heart is broken over His rebellious children.  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,…How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling (Matthew 23:37).  He longs to provide a place of security, a place of comfort and refuge.  But often we refuse what He offers.  We can hear sermons, we can know what the Bible says, we can listen to the advice of Christian friends, and still stubbornly refuse what God is saying to us.  Read His words in Isaiah 30:1-2: 

            Woe to the rebellious children…who execute a plan, but not Mine, and make an alliance but not of my Spirit, in order to add sin to sin; who proceed down to Egypt without consulting Me, to take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh.

            Think of times you have refused God’s clear direction in your own life.  Think of the consequences you paid.  What is your “Egypt?”  What is it you run to for protection instead of running to God?  Is it your work?  Is it a relationship?  Is it drugs or alcohol?  Money?  Television?  Busy with too many activities?  Enslavement is the result.  God wants to set us free.  He wants us to enjoy His comfort and protection.  But we have to make the choice to go to Him.  No matter how far we have strayed, no matter how many times we have run from Him, He is longing to have us back under His wings.

            Spiritual famine and war are the consequences of refusing God’s call.  There are no survivors.  If you are even now on your way to “Egypt,” turn back.  Take God’s offer of refuge and shelter under His wings.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What is your “Egypt?”  What is it you turn to for security instead of turning to God?

Think of times you have been disobedient to God.  What were the consequences?

Have you discovered that any other source of security is only temporary?  What are the situations which have shown that to be true?

When your security is threatened, how could you respond in a way that would be pleasing to God?

If you are even now straying away from God, turn back.  He will never leave us, but the longer and farther we stray, the less we feel His pull to come back.  Our hearts become hardened.  Confess your sin and disobedience and let Him gather you under His wings.