Shadow of Your Wings

Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.” 

Life is hard. 

There—I said it. 

Sometimes it's a struggle as a man or woman of faith to acknowledge the truth of the world we live in.  We are tempted to cover up the fact with a flippant remark to portray that nothing thrown our way will get us down. For example, we say, “Life is hard—but God is good.” 

What we are needing to express at this moment is that we are struggling. Yep. Believer’s struggle too. And yes, God is very good. We know this both in our heads and in our hearts, but nonetheless, we sometimes struggle.

The vulnerability required to reveal our humanness when we are struggling is tremendous.

Jesus shared a vital nugget of truth with His disciples regarding the struggles of living in this world, just before He left them and went back to heaven, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

This morning, I decided to slow down and rest in this peace Jesus promised. I needed to know that He could receive me, a sinner saved by grace, even when I felt like a failure struggling in a world filled with troubles.

I believe that God’s promises are always available if we are willing to believe and receive them, in spite of feelings of worthlessness, in our moments of struggle and weakness. 

The presence of the Spirit, the same Spirit Jesus sent to the early disciples, met me. I didn’t have to perform or impress Him. I didn’t have to convince Him of anything or try to sell Him on why He should forgive me for the million trillionth time. Instead of pushing me away because of my own unworthiness and unbelief, He pulled me close and filled my empty soul with Him—my worthiness was found in the shadow of His wings.

The Giver of life and death, hope and peace, joy and strength, is found when we enter a sacred place known as the Shadow of His Wings. Tucked away in the shadow of His wings, the troubles of this world are lifted. In His sacred feathers, we are protected. Safe. Held. Accepted. Walls fall down, and hearts open wide in the refuge of His wings. 

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 91:1-4)

Regardless of your circumstances, you are not alone. Jesus is waiting for you. Surrender to Him everything that you are and everything that you are not, and rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Stay the Course…

Sheila