Daily Devotional for Sunday, November 20

Under His Wings

For centuries, people across the world would live in the shadows of the great walls. The Great Wall of China, Himeji Castle, The Ston Wall (not stone wall), the walls of Jericho. In times of relative safety, they would tend to the fields, live, work and play outside the walls. When war would come, they left the shadow of the walls and came within the fortresses. They found safety within the walls of their lord. 

One commentator describes this psalm as the traveler’s psalm. It abounds in metaphors familiar to the East: the lion with its roar and leap in the open; the adder with its stealthy glide through the grass; the nocturnal assault; the devastating plague; the fowler’s snare; the eagle’s wing; the transitory tent. When one is experiencing the times described in this psalm, one should run under the wings of his loving Heavenly Father. 

The psalmist leaves us the imagery of God, providing us security from the chaos of spiritual warfare, under the feathers of the wings of God. Close to the Savior’s breast, we nestle within an impenetrable fortress. This is not some lyrist’s idyllic dream. This is a real description of a real place of safety for the Christian dealing when he is experiencing the vicious attacks of the enemy, Satan. 

Jesus uses the same imagery speaking of Jerusalem. Jerusalem would not seek the shelter of their promised Messiah. Nevertheless, Jesus stood on the hill outside of Jerusalem and mournfully spoke these words, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37).

REFLECTION: Have you refused to accept the protection that Jesus is offering you from the chaos of spiritual warfare?

David Thompson