Welcome my friend, Karen “Girl” Friday. Her thoughts on staying nestled under God’s wings will encourage you to find your place there–under His wings.

By Karen Friday

She flew away when the front door opened. Inside the flowers of my spring wreath, I found the beginnings of her nest.

I realized our constant door activity was a risk to any eggs she’d lay. So I acted quickly, taking my wreath down to force mamma to build her home elsewhere.

A few days later, I spotted high on the river-birch branch inside our courtyard a newly built nest. I imagined her nesting, then caring for her babies, feeding and protecting them from harm—spring storms and predators.

As God’s children, we need a safe shelter.

Because life’s storms and a predator (Satan) often put us in danger. Or maybe we wonder how to rest in the Lord and the best time to take flight and soar.

We have assurance:

• God covers us with His feathers.
• The Father hides us in the shadow of His wings.
• His faithful promises are our strong shelter.

Look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 23.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Verses 37-38).

Our redeemer wants to gather us under His wings—if we are willing.

These benefits follow.

1) Refuge. Like the hen gathers her brood to protect them from harm, the Lord’s wings provide protection and security during stormy seasons and the enemy’s harmful intent.

Under God’s wings we find protection and security during stormy seasons and the enemy’s harmful intent. Click To Tweet

Psalm 91 describes our refuge.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (verses 1-2).

“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler” (verse 4).

My research uncovered an astounding and comforting discovery. Pinions make up the outer part of a bird’s wing, including the flight feathers (Google). Birds are unable to take flight while covering their babies. It simply is impossible.

Dark and turbulent storms often hit close to home.

We lose a loved one or a job, illness strikes, our child turns wayward, or our dreams go unfulfilled.

Yet, the Lord never leaves us, never flies off during threatening times. And He never forsakes us. We remain secure under His wings.

David knew this security in Psalm 57.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by” (verse 1).

David prayed as he hid in a cave, fleeing from Saul, who wanted to kill him. The cave wasn’t his refuge, but the shadow of the Almighty’s wing.

2) Rest. We often fail to take a break from the busyness that leads to burnout and depletes our soul of joy. Our weary bodies and hearts, our what-if’s, and our anxious thoughts all contribute to this breaking point.

“For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy” (Psalm 63:7).

Rest is an intentional position of the heart. Like the sound of morning birds chirping in the morning sun, our joy is found in the Son.

Rest is an intentional position of the heart. Click To Tweet

The end result of resting under His wings? Joy!

3) Renewal. Merriam-Webster defines it, “to make (something) new, fresh, or strong again.”

The heavenly Father restores us and makes us strong. And after each renewing under His wings, we are ready to take flight and soar—until the next renewing season.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31a).

Let’s resolve to remain under His wings for refuge, rest, and renewal.

I’m nestled there now. Are you?

*Scripture references are from the ESV.

About Karen Friday: Her passion—moving others to experience laughter, tears, surprise, and deep reflection—has been ongoing since fourth grade. She not only possesses an affection for words (just ask her family) but also cherishes God’s Word. Knowing Jesus more and making Him known is her mission in speaking, mentoring, writing, and blogging. Karen is an award-winning writer who has published devotions and articles. She contributes to several national sites and is working on her first non-fiction book. In the blogging world, she’s known as “Girl Friday.” Her central message: you are never far from hope. Karen’s heartbeat is helping followers of Christ live with authentic hope and faith in real life. She considers her role as a pastor’s wife and women’s ministry leader a sacred calling. Karen and her husband Mike reside in East Tennessee and have two grown children and two grandchildren. Connect with her blog community, Hope is Among Us, http://www.karengirlfriday.com.