Under His Wings

Well, I felt like the past couple of chapters were so timely and relevant that I decided yesterday to look ahead to see what this next chapter will be. I knew yesterday it was about God's protection and care. All night and all day today I had hoped that today I would experience some sort of intervention from God in regards to my situation. It never came. The topic of the previous chapter becomes even more relevant, dealing with disappointments. In fact, as I had lunch with a brother today, it was a big struggle walking from the parking lot to the restaurant even though it was only about a twenty foot walk, something I could do in seconds only one year ago. I've felt pretty discouraged throughout the day since my joints are particularly bad today. It is so hard right now to know that God is taking care of me.

Wiersbe opens this chapter with an incident of Moody sailing from Britain to home in 18992. About three days into the journey the ship had some difficulties and the people on board did not know if they will survive. Moody clung to a verse in Psalm 91. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Moody wrote that it was his darkest hour of his life, yet in it he experienced God's peace and protection. Wiersbe goes on to further comment on this text.

 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty .... He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust." So promises the Lord in Psalm 91:1, 4. What does God mean by "under His wings"? Of course, we know that this is symbolical language, because God does not have wings. Some think that this has reference to the way the mother hen shelters and protects her brood. You will remember that Jesus used a similar comparison when He said, "How oft would I have gathered you, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not." (p. 56)

Wiersbe believes this is referring to the tabernacle and more specifically the three places. The outer court where the sacrifices were made, a holy places where priests burned the incense, and then there was the holy of holies where the ark of the covenant was kept. This was where God's presence dwelt and once a year the priests went into the holy of holies. When Christ died, this system was abolished and we all have access to the holy of holies. We can approach God's presence at any time on the basis of Christ's finished work. Psalm 91 is the focal point of this chapter and so Wiersbe goes on to describe some of God's promises.

"As you read Psalm 91, you discover that God makes some marvelous promises to those who will live under His wings, in the holy of holies. For one thing, He promises divine protection. This doesn't mean that we Christians never experience accidents or sickness, because you and I know that we do. God does not promise to protect us from trials, but to protect us in trials. The dangers of life may hurt us but they can never han us. We can claim His promise that these things are working for us and not against us.

Listen to one of these promises: "He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone" (Ps. 9:I 1-12). A modern scientific world laughs at the idea of angels, but not the child of God. Jesus taught that the angels of God watch over God's children." (p. 57).

I have always loved prepositions. I like the use of prepositions in this passage, God does not protect us from trials but He protects us in trials. God's angels are always looking out for God's people. Most often we don't even know it. I think one place God's angels protect us without us knowing it often is while we're driving. Just think of all the times we were protected from harm. I can think of countless times. God is working for us and not against us though it is often difficult to believe this particular promise.

"Believers are immortal in the will of God, until their work is done. Out of the will of God there is danger, but in the will of God there is a divine protection that gives us peace in our hearts, no matter how tough life might be. "Under His wings," abiding in Christ--this is where we are safest during the storms of life.

We do not, however, run into the holy of holies to hide from life. I'm afraid too many people misinterpret the Scriptures and the hymns that talk about hiding in God and finding Him a refuge in the storm. We go in for strength and help, and then go back to life to do His will. God's divine protection is not simply a luxury we enjoy; it is a necessity that we want to share with others. God's protection is preparation for God's service. We go in that we might go out. We worship that we might work; we rest that we might serve." (p. 58)

I really like this particular passage. Two key points are really well said. First, we are immortal till our work is done. I have always clung on to this truth. There was a brother who had a situation with his home and the safety of his life but God had protected him. It was such a close call, and I think of how true it is that we are immortal until our work here is done. God has numbered our days and we are not done until He says our days are complete. This is comforting that we are in God's hands. The other key point is that His protection is not merely for us to enjoy. We go in that we may go out and we worship that we will serve. There is a period of time that we get renewal and go into hiding. We do not stay there. Rather, we are brought back out into the battleground. Wiersbe closes with this thought:

 "Are you living in the shadow of the Lord, under His wings? Have you trusted Christ as your Savior? Do you spend time daily in worship and prayer? I trust that you do, because the safest life and the most satisfying life is under His wings.

The person who lives under His wings not only enjoys the safest life possible, but also the most satisfying life possible. Psalm 91 closes with this promise. "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." This doesn't mean that all Christians will live to be a hundred; the facts prove otherwise. Some of the choicest Christians died before age thirty. A long life refers to quality not just quantity: it means a full and satisfying life. You can live for eighty years and only exist if you leave Christ out. On the other hand, if you yield to Christ, you can pour into forty years three or four lifetimes of service and enjoyment. There is a heart satisfaction that comes only to those who live under His wings, in the place of surrender and fellowship.

The place of satisfaction is the secret place of the Most High. When you yield to Jesus Christ and link your life with Him, then you find the kind of satisfaction that is worth living for and worth dying for--not the shallow masquerades of this world, but the deep abiding peace and joy that can come only from Jesus Christ." (58-59).

Prayer:

Father, I don't know how many years I have. I don't ask for a long life. Rather, I ask for a full life. Your word promises that You protect us in our trials and difficulties. Often, like today, I feel tremendously discouraged about the condition of my joints. I struggled walking today and it is so hard to sense Your care and protection today. I ask for Your healing hands to provide restoration and wholeness to my body, mind, and spirit. I ask not that I would simply be healed, but that Your healing would send me out into further service and ministry.