[God] will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4
A Colorado mother proved she would stop at nothing to protect her child. Her five-year-old son was playing outside when she heard him screaming. She rushed outside and, to her horror, saw that her son had an unexpected “playmate”—a mountain lion. The large cat was on top of her son, with his head in its mouth. The mother summoned her inner mamma grizzly to fight off the lion and pry open its jaws to rescue her son. This mother’s heroic actions remind us of how motherhood is used in Scripture to illustrate God’s tenacious love and protection for His children.
God tenderly cared for and comforted His people as a mother eagle cares for her young (Deuteronomy 32:10–11; Isaiah 66:13). Also, like a mother who could never forget a nursing child with whom she had built an inseparable bond, God would never forget His people nor forever withhold compassion from them (Isaiah 54:7–8). Finally, like a mother bird offering protective cover under her wings for baby birds, God would “cover [His people] with his feathers” and “his faithfulness [would] be [their] shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4).
Sometimes we feel alone, forgotten, and trapped in the grip of all kinds of spiritual predators. May God help us remember that He compassionately cares, comforts, and fights for us.
1 Whoever dwells in the sheltery of the Most High
will rest in the shadowz of the Almighty.a
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refugea and my fortress,b
my God, in whom I trust.”
from the fowler’s snarec
and from the deadly pestilence.d
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;e
his faithfulness will be your shieldf and rampart.
5 You will not fearg the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.h
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harmi will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
INSIGHT
- How have you seen the image of God as a parent illustrated in your life?
- In what ways have you experienced His care, comfort, and protection?
Psalm 91 celebrates the security and stability of those who make the Lord (Yahweh) their God, those who trust and love Him (vv. 2, 14). The psalmist mentioned numerous dangers in life, from insidious schemes and deadly diseases (v. 3) to unexpected events, physical attacks, and disasters (vv. 5–6). This psalm doesn’t promise immunity from such dangers but security and stability when confronted by them. The godly needn’t be afraid because God is their defense, deliverer, strength, and safety. Various metaphors are used to describe the safety God provides: “shelter of the Most High” and “shadow of the Almighty” (v. 1), “refuge” and “fortress” (v. 2), “shield and rampart” (v. 4), and “dwelling” (v. 9). Taking verses 11–12 out of context, Satan tempted Jesus to test God’s promises by jumping from the top of the temple (Matthew 4:6). Quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, Jesus warned that demanding God’s protection in order to prove God’s care is wrong (Matthew 4:7).
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as baby birds find protection under their mother’s wings, may I find refuge under the shield of Your faithfulness. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Psalm 91:1-10 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42
