by H.M.S. Richards
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He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler (Ps. 91:4).
Have you not seen little chicks peeping out from their mother's feathers? Remember their little whispers of contented joy? How warm and safe they were! In this figure the Lord shows His care for His own. Just as a hen spreads her wings over her brood and allows them to nestle there in safety, so the Lord will protect His people and encourage them to hide in Him. We may shelter ourselves in God and feel the deep comforting peace that comes from the knowledge that He is guarding us. We may sleep, for He is awake protecting us. We trust while He covers us. God Himself becomes our house and home and refuge and rest.
Under his wings I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me;
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.
- Rev. W. O. Cushing
From this place of safety we go out to war in the Lord's name and cause, and His care follows us in that, too. We need protection from all the fiery darts of the enemy. When we trust God implicitly, we find that His truth is our shield and buckler.
We are protected in His truth and by His truth. God cannot lie. His Word "is true from the beginning" to the end (Ps. 119:160). His promises never fail; they must stand forever. His sure truth is all the shield we need. How important is, then, to receive it, to read it, to hold it in our hearts.
Come, friend, let us hide under those great wings until earth's calamities be overpassed.
MEDITATION PRAYER: "They that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee" (Ps. 9:10).
