On wings and spiritual things

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 26:52-28:15
Luke 3:1-22
Psalm 61:1-8
Proverbs 11:16-17

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

"I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:4 - CSB)

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

King David was belittled when he was young. When the prophet Samuel showed up to anoint the next king of Israel, David's own father expressed doubt that his shepherd-boy son could possibly be the next king. When David was sent by his father to check on his brothers in the Israelite army, he was ridiculed by his own brothers when he said someone should go out to defeat Goliath.

But, we know what happened to Goliath. We also know how David courageously expanded the Israelite nation and its influence through military exploits. He proved that his trust in his God enabled him to experience victory after valiant victory.

However, in the recesses of his heart, David struggled just like the rest of us do. He had his moments of doubt. He felt the pangs of injustice. He periodically wondered why God seemed like He was a million miles away. (Just read the Psalms. David poured his heart out often and we get to see that he was much like us.)

That being the case, David needed a place of safety - just like us. He needed place where he could feel secure, a place where he could run when things got out of control - just like us.

Well, he found that place. Listen to what he wrote:

"I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:4 - CSB)

The "tent" was the tabernacle, the place where God met with His people. It was the place of worship. David realized that ultimately this was his place of shelter. He wasn't running to a massive, rock fortress. He was running to a tent because that was the place where His God resided.

But, he didn't just run to the tent. He ran into the tent (metaphorically speaking) and took "refuge under the shelter of (God's) wings." Just like a baby bird finds comfort from the storm under its mother's wings, so David found comfort under the protective care of his God's 'wings.' He realized that nothing could happen to him unless it got past God first. So, in that, he found comfort.

So, friend, when life gets chaotic where do you run? Where is your hiding place? If, to find comfort and make sense of it all, you run to anything but God, then that 'thing' you run to is your 'god.' 

Why not determine to develop your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Spend time listening to Him in His Word and speaking with Him in prayer. Consciously look for Him in the moments of your days. Let that relationship become so real that it becomes a natural reflex to run to Him when life gets tough.

You'll be glad you did.