“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge…”Psalm 91:4

I’ve loved raising chickens since childhood. There was a time when I was given a pullet, which laid more than 15 eggs. I gave it 13 of them to incubate.

To everyone’s surprise, all the 13 chicks hatched and the hen managed to raise them without losing a single chick.

How it would try to keep the whole bunch of 13 chicks warm under her wings was always a sight to behold.

In our meditation today, the psalmist uses the imagery of a mother bird with her chicks to describe God’s protection over His people.

In the natural world, birds use their wings to shelter and protect their young under their feathers.

When it’s extremely hot during the day, wild birds spread their wings over their chicks like an umbrella. When it is very cold or rainy, they cover them up in their feathers to keep them warm.

For the psalmist, this nurturing picture translated into the image of God as a caring and protective figure, shielding and comforting children who seek refuge in Him.

Throughout the Bible, wings symbolize God’s protection and care.  The believer is enjoined to seek refuge with God when adversity strikes him or amid adversaries of all kinds (see Psalm 17:8; Psalm 36:7; Psalm 57:1; Psalm 61:4; Psalm 63:7).

The imagery of wings also reflects a close, intimate relationship between God and His people.

‘For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings [where I am always protected] I sing for joy.’

PSALM 63:7, AMP

Just as young chicks are close to their mother’s heart under her wings, believers are symbolically close to God when they find refuge under His protection.

Even in the New Testament, our Lord Jesus uses this imagery when He laments over Jerusalem, saying; “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing” (Luke 13:34).

A mother hen is known for her protective nature, gathering her chicks under her wings to shelter them from the cold or harm, guiding them and feeding them.

That’s what God is to us too – the almighty Protector who watches over and cares for His own, offering them refuge and safety.

Regardless of what is going on, you’re not on your own; Christ is at hand, “longing to gather you” under His ‘wings’ so you’re safe and secure from all alarm.

In a perilous and dangerous world, our Lord invites us all to hide in His wings and take refuge.

Regardless of what is going on, you’re not on your own; Christ is at hand, “longing to gather you” under His ‘wings’ so you’re safe and secure from all alarm.