Refuge

Most of us are buckling down with our families as stay-at-home mandates sweep across our country and our world. Home has become a refuge…a place to stay safe and also a place to hunker down in order to keep others safe around us.

Spring has come in the midst of our isolation!

As part of our busy homeschooling days, we have been watching this beautiful bald eagle family in Decorah, Iowa as Mom and Dad take turns sitting in the nest. We are mesmerized, expectantly watching for the quiet entrance of their eaglets (Click HERE to see these amazing creatures at explore.com!). What amazing creatures God has made! Admiring these incredible fowls has caused me to be even more amazed by their Creator.

Did you know that birds are mentioned nearly 300 times in the Bible?! From the small sparrow or turtledove to references of finding our refuge under God’s wings, the Lord uses the birds of this world to teach us about Himself. Just as these eagle parents patiently sit and protect their eggs from any harm, our Lord and Savior does the same with His children. Let’s just look deeper at one of these passages.

He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings
you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:4)

If, like me, you’re not an ornithologist (someone who studies birds), you probably had never paid attention to the word “pinion” before. After a little research, I discovered, the pinions are the outermost primary flight feathers on a bird’s wing-the part that spreads out widest in flight. If damaged or missing, the bird cannot fly.

But God…God is perfect. He is faithful. His wings are never damaged or missing. He is an always-present, all-powerful Father to His young, as His wings spread over us and protect us through every storm or battle.

Every. Single. One.

Including pandemics, economic hardships, uncertain futures…

God’s faithfulness is referred to in Psalm 91 as a “shield and buckler.” Often, we think of these two as only defensive weapons in battle, but in fact, they were used to push, hit, trap and pin the enemy. So, our God isn’t merely covering us from the blows that are coming at us; He is fighting back on our behalf!

Wow! He is fighting for me?!

I don’t need to do anything except stay sheltered under His wings and cling to Him! That’s it. The stronger the storm or battle, the more He will fight. I can trust His Word. He will remain faithful because every storm gives Him the opportunity to show us how strong those wings are. He will not fail.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

The Creator of the world, Savior of my sins, Lord of all, King of kings, mighty God…

…He sees the tiny sparrow. He sees me.

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life,
what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body,
what you will put on. Is not life more than food,
and the body more than clothing?
 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap
nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:25-26)

If you’re feeling anxious about these times, and you’d like me to pray for you. Drop me a comment or private message through the “Contact Me” page. You are not alone!

God can be YOUR refuge too!

Be hopeful, friend! Abound in His steadfast love!

 

*All Bible passages were quoted from the English Standard Version.