In the Shadow of His Wings
By Stephen Terry
"Can an
Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil." Jeremiah
13:23, NIV
Sin is an inescapable consequence of life
here on planet earth. Introduced by Lucifer eons ago, it has come to permeate
everything, the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe. Like
dangerous radiation it lives within our bodies yielding effects both immediate
and distant. As radioactive iodine finds a home in our thyroids, sin has organs
it prefers also. Sin builds up in our hearts and minds with fatal results.
But while both radiation and sin can come into our lives unseen and
undetected, sin at least has a cure.
Our lesson this week compares that cure to
the covering wings of an eagle, but this is only one of many metaphors for the
cure we need. David in the Psalms writes of organ transplantation: "Create
in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10, NIV John
in the book of Revelation writes of white robes as symbols of righteousness.
But there is something comforting about the symbolism of sheltering wings.
Many lessons of life can be learned on a
farm, and one of those lessons is that the chick that strays from mother hen is
in grave danger. It doesn't matter if the chick is willful, rebellious,
confused or just naive. It is the same for us, predators are everywhere, and
they are quick to take advantage of a child alone. When danger threatens, the
hen urgently calls her chicks to the shelter of her wings. She would
willingly give her own life for those of her chicks. God is doing the
same for us.
Nature herself teaches us how dangerous the
predators can be. Predators have many ways to make themselves
appear harmless, whether it is through a natural camouflage, or an enticement
offered for apparently little or no cost. Perhaps when the victim draws close, lightning
speed eliminates any chance for escape. Sometimes the victim becomes so
engrossed in the enticement that slow stealth progresses until the prey is so
entwined, escape is all but impossible. Lost and without hope is not how
God wants us to end up.
He calls us to the
shelter of His wings, and even gave His own life to make that possible. The
Bible tells us, "He will cover you with his feathers, and
under his wings you will find refuge..." Psalm 91:4, NIV Jesus' death on the cross was
a call to us to take shelter with Him. He stood between Lucifer and us to
provide an escape, a refuge from the devastation of sin and its contamination.
Not only does He provide protection from exposure, but like a hen
grooming her chicks, He cleans us up. He restores us.
He even goes after us if we didn't make it to
His wings. Like a hen clucking for her lost chick, He seeks for us, all the
while calling to our hearts so we can find our way back. The wise chick comes
running when it hears that call. So it is with us. Things are so much safer,
warmer, and nicer under those wings. The chick tempted to think that things are
better elsewhere soon finds they are not. It is better to answer the call
to shelter before it is too late.
We may feel that we can handle life on our
own. If we only make sure we do good instead of evil,
we will be safe in the end. God says otherwise. He knows that sin
has perverted our natures to such an extent that even if we try to do what is
right we cannot. Jeremiah tells us this in the verse at the top of the
page. Paul also tells us this. In chapter seven of his letter to the Romans, he
writes about how he struggled with this problem. The only solution he
found was to answer the call and come to Jesus.
Some hear the love in that call and come
running immediately. Others go through many griefs
before they seek shelter. Often they bear wounds that cannot be fully healed
until the time comes for them to receive their glorified new bodies at Jesus'
second coming. (See 1 Corinthians 15:50-55) Some never return, either slain or
lost to a bedazzling enchantment for sin and its glamour. Some may no longer be
able to even perceive their danger due to the effects of alcohol and drugs on
their mental abilities. Even those who can still hear the call or perceive some
small measure of their danger may feel that it is impossible to return. They
may feel it is too late for them and with resignation settle into their fate.
But the call continues even to these. Jesus
himself said that there were indeed situations that looked impossible. However,
He also said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God;
for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27, NKJV
This is God by definition for if God found anything impossible, could He
be God? Yet, Lucifer continues to tell his victims the same lie. He tells them,
"God may be able to save others but for YOU it is too late."
Don't believe him. Don't let him place his labels on you.
God created each of us for a special purpose.
He paid the ultimate price on the cross to enable us to fulfill that purpose.
After paying that price, He will certainly never give up the glorious future He
created you for. The only way we can be lost is to give up on ourselves, and
not return to Him. That is exactly what Lucifer hopes we will do. He has no
power to stop us if we turn to God. His only power is if we give up, and this
is what he tells us to do over and over again. Don't do it.
There is room under God's protecting wings
for each and every one of us. Every wound the enemy would inflict on us, is
instead born by Jesus. He did this on the cross. It was love that kept Him
there. It is love that shelters us until the day comes when all threats are
brought to an end. In the meantime, God will do everything to help us
reach our full potential, to become all He created us to be. He will replace
our ashes with a crown of beauty, and He will replace mourning with
joy. (See Isaiah 61:3)
I want to enjoy the protection and cleansing
offered by God under His wings. I know He will shelter me there and surround me
with His love. No matter what the enemy may offer instead, I know that happiness
can only truly be found under those wings. I don't want to chase a mirage of
happiness. I want the real thing. Don't you? If you listen with your heart, you
can hear Him calling you even now. Won't you return to the One who truly loves
you and join me under those wings?
If you
do not have the current Bible
Study Quarterly, you may purchase one by clicking here and typing the word
"quarterly" into the search box.
If this commentary was shared with you through a social media and you enjoyed it, you can find more at Still Waters Ministry