3 Benefits for Abiding Under God’s Wings

3 BENEFITS FOR ABIDING UNDER GOD’S WINGS
3 BENEFITS FOR ABIDING UNDER GOD’S WINGS

She flew away as her wings took flight when I opened our front door. Inside the edge of my 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 in taking my wreath down to force this mama bird to build her home elsewhere. 

A few days later, high on the River Birch branch inside our courtyard, I spotted a newly built nest. I imagined her nesting, then caring for her babies through feeding and protecting them from harm—spring storms and predators. And keeping them under her wings.

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 about abiding under God’s wings.

  • 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’s 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, ESV)

Our redeemer wants to gather us under His wings—if we are willing. Then these benefits follow.

Refuge under His Wings

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.

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, ESV) 

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

3 BENEFITS FOR ABIDING UNDER GOD’S WINGS

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 in our lives. We lose a loved one or a job, illness strikes, our child turns wayward, our marriage is in trouble, or our dreams go unmet. 

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, ESV)

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 wings.

Rest in His Care

We often fail to take a break from the busyness that leads to burnout, and this 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, ESV)

To rest is an intentional position of the heart. Just like the sound of morning birds chirping in the morning sun, our joy is found in the Son. 

The end result of resting under His wings? Joy!

Renewal from His Shelter

 Merriam-Webster defines renew as, “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 really are ready to take flight and soar—until the next renewing season. 

3 BENEFITS FOR ABIDING UNDER GOD’S WINGS

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

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

I’m nestled there now. Are you? 

God’s A Father Who Never Leaves His Child.

Featured Photo by Roan Lavery on Unsplash/Top Photo by Hannah Schulte on Unsplash/Middle Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash/Bottom Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash.

Karen Friday

Whether the spoken or written word, Karen thrives in moving an audience to experience laughter, tears, surprise, and deep reflection. She not only possesses an affection for words (just ask her family), but she also cherishes God’s Word. Karen is an award-winning writer who has published both devotions and articles with a mission to know Jesus more and make Him known. She contributes to several national sites while she works on her first non-fiction book. In the blogging world, she is referred to as “Girl Friday” where she shares a central message: you are never far from hope. And she considers her life 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. The entire family is fond of the expression, “TGIF: Thank God it’s Friday.” They owe Monday an apology. Connect with her blog community, Hope is Among Us.

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22 comments

  1. The rest we find in the Lord is so beautiful, peaceful, and enriching. There’s nothing like it! Excellent reflection, Karen!!!

    1. Agree, Jessica. To rest is an intentional position of the heart. Just like the sound of morning birds chirping in the morning sun, our joy is found in the Son. Thanks for commenting!

    1. Right, Ava?! I will always keep these facts about pinions near to my heart. The Lord never leaves us, never flies off during threatening times. And He never forsakes us. We remain secure under His wings.

  2. Karen, great post! Love your photo of the wings on the wall– the picture captures your theme so very well. 🙂 I also love your phrase about rest: “intentional position of the heart.” Yes, it is. I need this more in my life than I currently participate in. Thanks for your writing!

  3. Love the research into the Pinions’ wings… that they can’t fly off when covering their chicks. Wow! That is so like the Lord. Great analogy.

    Love your heart for the Lord, Karen. You are so full of passion for His truth and His kingdom!

  4. As we understand the importance of rest, we appreciate it all the more. I love the mental picture you gave me of a mama bird spreading her wings over her babies during a storm.

    So wonderful.

  5. This portion was exactly what I needed to hear today, and I had no idea until I read it and my heart quickened with that gentle touch that only the Holy Spirit can give:

    “’He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.’ (Verse 4, ESV) … Pinions make up the outer part of a bird’s wing, including the flight feathers. Birds are unable to take flight while covering their babies. It simply is impossible.”

    The Lord won’t “fly off” for he has said that he will never leave us, nor forsake us, and right there under his feathers is where I need to be in this season at this time. It is impossible for him to abandon me, and he will not take flight, but will continue to cover me, his baby. It is impossible for him to do otherwise, for he is God, and he keeps all of his promises. Praise God!

    1. Praise the Lord, He IS the ultimate Promise-keeper, Melinda! Glad you found comfort in this article. So thankful along with you how He never flys off to leave or forsake us during storms of destruction or even during peaceful seasons when we still need His ever present shelter.

  6. What a beautiful picture of rest and comfort. It is what of the best place for us to find true rest. Thanks.

  7. This is such a comfort to read, Karen! Thank you for sharing this timeless and timely message of comfort in our Lord. I have always loved these images of being under God’s wings. Nurtured, cared for, loved. Thank you for walking us through more of these scriptures and details of pinions. I loved this: “To rest is an intentional position of the heart. Just like the sound of morning birds chirping in the morning sun, our joy is found in the Son. The end result of resting under His wings? Joy!” I pray we rest under His loving care and find the joy of our Savior anew!

    1. I’m praying for this rest, care, and joy under His wings too, Melissa. The enemy can’t touch us there. I pray we learn discernment in knowing when to leave the nest and times to stay put in threatening situations.

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